BioData.pt | ELIXIR Portugal was present at the MALDIBANK 1st General Assembly – Interactive Retreat, held in person from 11 to 13 May 2026. The event brought together partners from across Europe involved in this pioneering initiative, combining structured sessions with informal networking moments designed to foster collaboration, open dialogue, and a shared sense of mission.
MALDIBANK is a cloud-based, open MALDI spectra databank that represents a significant step forward for Open Science and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. By making microbial spectral data openly available and interoperable, the project contributes to accelerating research and innovation in areas of critical societal relevance, including human health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
BioData.pt's participation in this General Assembly reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing Open Science infrastructure and supporting initiatives that promote the responsible sharing and reuse of biological data at a European scale. As a national node of ELIXIR — the pan-European infrastructure for life science data — BioData.pt plays a key role in connecting Portuguese researchers to international collaborative efforts such as MALDIBANK.
The retreat provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, align strategies, and contribute to shaping the future direction of the project, reinforcing BioData.pt's position as an active and engaged partner in the European open data ecosystem.