Biobank OWL
The Biobank OWL is part of the translational research unit at Bielefeld University’s medical school and is being established in close cooperation with the University Medical Center OWL (Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Klinikum Bielefeld and Klinikum Lippe). As a cross-institutional research biobank for liquids and tissues, it creates synergies and brings together biological samples, associated data and biobank expertise.
The Biobank OWL has two sites:
- Site on the Bielefeld University campus
- Site on the Klinikum Lippe campus
Aims
The aim of the Biobank OWL is to provide well-characterised, high-quality biological samples (human and model organisms) and associated data for disease- and patient-oriented clinical research. The integration of clinical data from routine care and other associated data is taken into account from the outset through collaboration with the Data Integration Centre.
Contact
Services
© BRIC GmbH Consulting service
The experienced team of Biobank OWL advises on all aspects of the collection, processing, storage and data management of biological samples, as well as on matters regarding ethics documentation.
If you are planning a study involving biospecimens, please do not hesitate to contact us at an early stage!
© Universität Bielefeld Sample logistics
Biological samples are transported safely and traceably to the Biobank OWL, stored there, and released to analytical laboratories within the framework of (clinical) studies and research projects. We prefer barcoded sample containers, as this allows samples to be documented digitally and automatically. We are not permitted to accept sample containers with identifying data of patients or study participants!
We will be happy to advise you on how to meet this requirement and to show you suitable sample containers.
© Universität Bielefeld (Long-term) storage
We currently have the following storage capacities available for (long-term) storage
(based on 1.8-ml tubes):- Automated liquid nitrogen tanks (< -150°C): 42,200 tubes
- Manual nitrogen tanks (< -150°C): 144,000 tubes
- Freezers (-80°C): 109,000 tubes
© Universität Bielefeld Sample processing
The Biobank OWL offers all standard processing steps for biological samples. These include:
- Blood fractionation
- Automated aliquoting
- Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
- Processing of stool samples
- Sample homogenisation
- Isolation of DNA or RNA (human or microbial) from various sources
- Quality control (PBMC function, nucleic acid integrity, etc.)
© Universität Bielefeld Support for (clinical) trials
The Biobank OWL supports (clinical) studies by:
- Provision of study kits for biological samples
- Provision of sample storage and logistics facilities
- Documentation of biological samples
- Transfer of existing samples and data
- Additional assays (PCR, ELISA, etc.)
© Universität Bielefeld Other services on campus
- Supply of liquid nitrogen
- Supply of dry ice (subject to availability)
- Storage space in backup freezers
- Support with temperature monitoring (for stationary units or for shipping)
Team
- Management of the Biobank OWL
- Scientific Staff
Dr. Sonja Kunze
Projektmanagerin
- sonja.kunze@uni-bielefeld.de
- Phone
- +49 521 106-86424
- Office
- R.2 B0-206
Dr. Timm Weber
Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter in der Biobank im Bereich Qualitäts- und Projektmanagement
- timm.weber@uni-bielefeld.de
- Phone
- +49 521 106-87718
- Office
- R.2 B0-221
- Technical Assistants
Geneviève Jaspaert
Technische Assistentin in der Biobank
Beauftragte für Qualitätsmanagement- Phone
- +49 521 106-86214
- Office
- R.2 B0-207
Facilities and Equipment
Bielefeld University Campus
Sample storage
1. Automated liquid nitrogen tanks
2. Freezers (-20°C, -80°C, -150°C)
3. Manual liquid nitrogen tanks
Manual liquid nitrogen filling system
Laboratories (BSL-2)
2. Molecular Biology (post-PCR)
4. Sample reception (including robots for blood fractionation and aliquoting)
5. Stool processing
6. Storage
7. Molecular Biology (including pipetting robots for nucleic acid extraction)
8. Cell culture
Projects
- University Medicine Network (NUM)
Activities within the Network of University Medicine (NUM)
- Co-coordination of the NUM Methods & Biobank Hub (NUM-MB)
- Involvement in:
- Study Network Infectious Deseases
- Study Network Stroke
- Study Network Critical Care
- NAPKON
- Population-based Platform (POP; COVIDOM+)
- Cross-sectoral Platform (SÜP)
- High-Resolution Platform (HAP; Pa-COVID-19)
- NAPKON-TIP - RAPID REVIVE
- NAPKON-TIP - RAPID_ELAPSE
- ENRICH
- Kleine Eulen OWL
- ENDEMIC-2
- VReady: Virtuelle Realität im Notfalltraining
- SMELL & TASTE
- SHAPE
- Study on the role of steroid hormones in COVID-19 and post-viral syndrome)
- Retrospective analysis of previously collected data and biological samples as part of the NAPKON project
- Prof. Joachim Feldkamp, MD, Bielefeld University Hospital, Department of General Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Infectious Diseases, UK OWL & Research Group for Endocrinology and Diabetology, General Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine OWL Faculty
- Dr Gabriele Anton, Biobank Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Faculty of Medicine, Bielefeld University
- Dr Tobias Busche, Omics Core Facility, Next Generation Sequencing Unit, Bielefeld University
- Dr Marcus Persicke, Omics Core Facility / Proteomics/Metabolomics Division, Bielefeld University
- Prof. Dr Sabine Oertelt-Prigione, Gender-Sensitive Medicine, medical school OWL
- Prof. Dr Thorsten Kaiser, University Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Lippe Hospital Campus, UK OWL
- Dr Ilijana Begcevic Brkovic, University Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Lippe Hospital Campus, UK OWL
- Eico-Scan
- Student projects and dissertations
News
- 23.06.2026 - Kick-off „Biobank-Plattform für Deutschland“
- 29.01.2026 - GBN bestätigt Vorstand – Erweiterung auf vier Mitglieder