Camilla Lagerberg new Biobank custodian at KI
Following a decision by the KI President, Camilla Lagerberg, biobank coordinator, has been appointed biobank custodian at Karolinska Institutet. The role involves overall responsibility for ensuring that KI Biobank operates in accordance with the Biobanks Act.
The President’s decision regarding the assignment applies from 1 September 2026 up to and including 31 August 2029. Camilla Lagerberg will take over the assignment from Sanela Kjellqvist.
“I wish Camilla Lagerberg every success in this important assignment and would like to thank Sanela Kjellqvist for her efforts as biobank custodian,” says Karin Dahlman-Wright, director of research infrastructure at Karolinska Institutet’s organisation for research infrastructure – RIKI.
Karolinska Institutet conducts biobank operations covered by the Swedish Biobanks Act (2023:38). Under the Act, the principal responsible for a biobank must decide who is responsible for it and for what purpose the samples may be used.
Clearer legal responsibility
This means that the biobank custodian decides whether sample collections should be established or disposed of and, in consultation with the relevant line managers, determines how the assignment should be carried out. She may also delegate tasks within her area of responsibility.
“I am honoured and happy to have been appointed biobank custodian at KI Biobank. With the Biobanks Act introduced in 2023, the legal responsibility is clearer. Karolinska Institutet can take responsibility for the entire process: applying to establish new sample collections, gaining access to samples for research, and sending samples for analysis. This means an increased number of cases for the biobank custodian, but a simpler process for researchers,” says Camilla Lagerberg.
Rapid support for researchers
Camilla Lagerberg says that she wants researchers who contact the biobank director via biobank@ki.se to receive support and assistance quickly. She also wants researchers and students to understand what the Biobanks Act entails.
“I want to promote greater awareness of what is required when research involves biobank samples,” she says.
KI Biobank – two parts, different functions
KI Biobank registered with the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) is the legal biobank under the Biobanks Act. It is the formal structure within which biological material is collected, stored and used for research. Karolinska Institutet acts as the principal and is responsible for ensuring that the regulations concerning consent, traceability and ethics are followed. Samples registered in KI Biobank may be stored at the KI Biobank core facility.
KI Biobank core facility is an operational service unit that handles biobank samples in practice – receipt, processing, storage and retrieval of samples for researchers. The core facility operates within the framework of the registered biobank, but is a practical support function rather than a legal entity.