Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
This course prepares you to set up, manage and maintain marine biobanks and culture collections, the infrastructure that preserves microorganisms, microalgae, tissues and DNA for research and industry. You will learn maintenance and cryopreservation techniques, identity and purity control, quality systems, data and metadata management, biosafety, and the legal requirements for accessing and distributing biological material between research centers and companies in different countries.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course?
This course prepares you to set up, manage and maintain marine biobanks and culture collections, the infrastructure that preserves microorganisms, microalgae, tissues and DNA for research and industry. You will apply long-term preservation techniques such as subculture, freeze-drying and cryopreservation; verify the identity, purity and viability of material; work with the ISO 20387 standard and biosafety containment levels; document collections with metadata, databases and online catalogs; and handle access and benefit-sharing, material transfer agreements and patent deposits.
What sets this course apart: a focus on key infrastructure, since collections underpin marine biotechnology and research; preservation techniques from subculture to freeze-drying and cryopreservation; quality management systems designed for biobanks; data and traceability through metadata, catalogs and databases; and a practical case in which you draw up a management plan for a marine collection.
Program highlights
- Key infrastructure: collections underpin marine biotechnology and research.
- Preservation techniques: subculture, freeze-drying and cryopreservation.
- Quality and standards: quality management systems for biobanks, including ISO 20387.
- Data and traceability: metadata, catalogs and databases.
- Legal framework: access and benefit-sharing and material transfer agreements.
- Practical case: a management plan for a marine collection.
Syllabus of the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Biobanks and marine collections
- 1.1. Types of biobanks and collections
- 1.2. Collections of marine microorganisms
- 1.3. Microalgae collections
- 1.4. Tissue and DNA banks
- 1.5. International networks of collections
Maintenance and preservation techniques
- 2.1. Periodic subculture
- 2.2. Freeze-drying
- 2.3. Cryopreservation of bacteria and fungi
- 2.4. Cryopreservation of microalgae
- 2.5. Preservation of tissues and DNA
Quality and biosafety
- 3.1. Identity verification
- 3.2. Purity and viability control
- 3.3. The ISO 20387 standard for biobanking
- 3.4. Biosafety and containment levels
- 3.5. Risk management
Data, catalogs and services
- 4.1. Metadata and standards
- 4.2. Collection databases
- 4.3. Online catalogs
- 4.4. User services
- 4.5. Usage and impact indicators
Legal framework and collection management
- 5.1. Access and benefit-sharing
- 5.2. Material transfer agreements
- 5.3. Patent deposits and the Budapest Treaty
- 5.4. Funding and sustainability
- 5.5. Practical case: a management plan for a marine collection
Duration and format of the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
Career opportunities after the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
Questions about the Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Course
It is taught online and is based on protocols, videos and case studies; it does not replace practical laboratory work.
Yes, for bacteria, fungi, microalgae, tissues and DNA.
Yes. Its general requirements for quality management in biobanks are explained.
Yes: access to genetic resources, material transfer agreements and patent deposits.
You draw up a complete management plan for a collection of marine cultures.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at laboratory technicians who maintain strains and cultures, graduates in biology, microbiology or biotechnology who wish to specialize in collections, biobank and collection managers updating their procedures, researchers who build collections in their projects, and biotechnology company staff who manage strain banks. A background in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, marine sciences or a related field, or professional laboratory experience, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.