The first biological samples from the European Space Agency (ESA) arrived at the GIMM Biobank on October 14, marking the beginning of the operational phase of the ESA Biobank in Portugal.

This initial shipment, comprising 1,422 samples, validated the technical and logistical workflow developed over the past four months. In total, the source study — Vivaldi III — collected 4,380 human samples (including blood, saliva, urine, feces, and hair), with full transfer expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Vivaldi III, developed by ESA and conducted by the Institut de Médecine et de Physiologie Spatiales (MEDES) in Toulouse, is a study focused on understanding the effects of prolonged microgravity on the human body. During the experiment, volunteers spend ten days lying in a waterbed with their heads slightly tilted downward, simulating the conditions of weightlessness experienced in space. This type of research is essential to prepare for future lunar and Martian missions, helping anticipate and mitigate the physiological impacts of life in extreme space environments.

The transport of the samples between Toulouse and Lisbon took place between October 13 and 14, following strict safety, traceability, and preservation protocols. The entire process was monitored by technical teams from MEDES and the GIMM Biobank, ensuring the integrity and detailed documentation of each sample.

The ESA Biobank, hosted at GIMM and integrated into the Lisbon Academic Medical Centre (CAML), is the first European infrastructure dedicated to the preservation of biological samples associated with space research. This milestone marks the beginning of a new phase of scientific collaboration between Portugal and ESA, strengthening the country’s role in the European biomedical and space research network.

As part of CAML, the GIMM Biobank serves as a strategic hub supporting biomedical research, upholding high standards of quality, safety, and traceability in the storage and management of biological samples. The arrival of the ESA samples reinforces GIMM’s position as a reference partner in international projects that bridge biomedicine with the frontiers of science and space exploration.