Share organs tissues and samples
By collaborating with biobanks and other researchers, you can use organs, tissues and samples from humans and animals that are already available, or that your collaborator does not need for their own research. In this way, you help to reduce the number of laboratory animals and invasive procedures.
There are biobanks that collect, store and make samples from humans or animals available for research. By using samples that have already been collected, you can reduce the need for new research participants or laboratory animals and gain access to material without invasive interventions.
As a researcher, you sometimes only need to a limited part of the material that can be collected from an animal. Remaining organs or tissues may be of significant value to other researchers. By sharing material within and between research groups, the number of animals used in experiments can be reduced.
We compile information on services and organisations that aim to facilitate the shared use of organs, tissues and samples for research, from both humans and animals.
Biobanks
One way to reduce the use of live animals in medical research is by using tissue and samples from humans or animals that have been stored in biobanks.
Biobank Sweden
In Sweden, there are over 150 million biobank samples from people of different ages. A biobank sample may consist of blood, urine or saliva, or of cells or tissue samples. These samples can be used for research provided that explicit consent has been given and that the research has received ethical approval.
Most biobank samples are collected within health care services and stored in biobanks run by the public healthcare regions, but there are also biobanks operated privately, as well as those based at universities and government authorities.
Read more about biobank samples and research on the Biobank Sweden website.
BBMRI-ERIC
BBMRI-ERIC is a European research infrastructure for biobanks. It brings together information on biobanks across Europe that are willing to share data and samples from humans or animals and to collaborate with other research groups. Its search function allows you to filter, for example, by country, type of tissue sample, whether the samples are from humans or animals, and the disease area of interest.
Sharing tissues and samples from animals
Share-it 3Rs is an international initiative that aims to facilitate the sharing of animals and tissues for research purposes. The project is relatively new and, in its initial phase, focuses on building networks and exploring local initiatives for sharing animals and tissues, for example within and between organisations.
Share-it 3Rs has presented its work in a short film.
At present, there is no equivalent national initiative in Sweden. However, there may be local initiatives and opportunities to share material, both within and between organisations such as universities and hospitals. You are encouraged to explore what opportunities exist at your workplace.
Revision date: 2026-04-17