The HIV BioBank represents a novel approach to HIV research that might be of general interest not only for basic and clinical research teams working on HIV, but also for those groups trying to establish large networks focused on research on specific clinical problems. It also represents a model to stimulate cooperative research among large numbers of research groups working as a network on specific clinical problems. The main objective of this article is to show the structure and function of the HIV BioBank that allow it to very efficiently release samples to different research project not only in Spain but also in other countries.

LP is associated with higher mortality, especially short-term- and HIV/AIDS-related mortality. Mid-term-, but not long-term mortality, remained also higher in LP than nLP. LP decreased in MSM and heterosexual men, not in heterosexual women. The groups most affected by LP are low educated, non-Spanish and heterosexual women.

The vulnerability of children has long raised ethical concerns resulting in the lack of inclusion of children in research studies. This has impeded the development of relevant medical therapies specific for children. In response to these circumstances, international policies have begun to recognize the need to carry out research focused on children. Translational HIV infection research is highly dependent on many factors including the availability, quality, and traceability of samples and their associated data under a strict system of quality management. The primary objective of the Pediatric HIV BioBank is to contribute to the furthering of scientific knowledge about vertical HIV infection. To achieve this aim, the BioBank processes, stores, and provides distinct samples from HIV/AIDS children to research projects free of charge. Strict compliance to ethical norms is always guaranteed. At present the Pediatric HIV BioBank has 429 vials containing different sample types from 243 vertically HIV-infected children. The Pediatric HIV BioBank represents a novel approach to HIV research that might be of general interest not only for basic and clinical research teams working with HIV, but also for those groups trying to establish large networks focused on researching specific clinical problems. It also represents a model to stimulate cooperative research on specific clinical problems. The main objective of this article is to show the structure and function of the Pediatric HIV BioBank that allow it to efficiently provide samples to different research projects in Spain and in other countries.