The new infrastructure will allow researchers to focus on large-scale studies on diseases affecting South Africans!
Free State, South Africa (18 March 2026) – The University of the Free State’s Faculty of Health Sciences has opened a new biobank.
A biobank is essentially like a very sophisticated, ethically protected library. Instead of books, it stores biological samples like blood and DNA. By collecting and safely preserving these samples over many years, researchers can study how diseases develop over time. It’s a structured way to manage human samples under the highest quality and ethical standards.
These samples, contributed by donors, will help clinician-scientists investigate disease patterns unique to the Free State and South Africa.
“At the heart of the biobank are the people of the Free State who choose to contribute their samples for research. Their generosity makes discovery possible and creates opportunities to improve health for future generations. In many ways, the biobank reflects the spirit of Ubuntu – the understanding that progress is achieved together.” says Dr Claire Barret, Head of Research and Development in the UFS School of Clinical Medicine.
As per the university, the people of the Free State have been underrepresented in biobanks and biomedical research. The new biobank aims to change this by ensuring that research better reflects the communities it serves.
Currently, research interest lies in chronic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as cancer, genetics, precision medicine, and how lifestyle and environment interact with our health over time.
The biobank will also help train the next generation of clinician-scientists and opens the door to international research networks, meaning South African scientists can collaborate with partners around the world.
The biobank was established in 2025 and led by Dr Claire Barrett, Head of Research and Development in the UFS School of Clinical Medicine, with a strong team behind her including Prof Nicholas Pearce, Prof Jaco Joubert, Dr Anneke van Marle, Dr Jean Kloppers, Prof Deliwe Phetlhu, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Vasu Reddy.
“By investing in world class research infrastructure such as the UFS Biobank, we are strengthening biomedical innovation while developing the next generation of clinician scientists and researchers,” says Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.
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