Global landscape of organoid biobanks: Bibliometric insights, technological breakthroughs, and clinical translation

Abstract

Organoid biobanks represent a pivotal innovation at the intersection of stem cell biology, bioengineering, and precision medicine. By establishing standardized repositories of patient-derived organoids spanning diverse tissues and disease contexts, organoid biobanks enhance experimental reproducibility, foster international scientific collaboration, and accelerate translational research. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 1,318 publications over the past three decades and identifies transformative shifts in the field. Research output has increased substantially since 2014, driven by international consortia involving institutions in China, the United States, and Europe. The analysis highlights predominant applications in cancer modeling (particularly gastrointestinal and central nervous system malignancies), high-throughput drug screening, and regenerative medicine, with emerging frontiers in multi-organ system integration and artificial intelligence-enabled predictive modeling. Technological advances are increasingly being evaluated for clinical relevance through reported concordance between organoid-based predictions and patient treatment responses. While challenges persist in the functional maturation of organoids and in ethical governance, organoid biobanks are increasingly positioned to reshape biomedical research paradigms by bridging experimental models with clinical decision-making. The strategic development of standardized protocols and interdisciplinary frameworks will be essential to realize their full potential in advancing therapeutic discovery and personalized healthcare.