OBJECTIVES: The advances in cancertranslational research, as well as the study of its changesand interactions, depend basically on the procurementof case series (individuals affected and non affectedcontrols) which supply high quality samples and otherassociated data. Biobanks have shown they areindispensable tools for the advance of uro-oncologicalresearch.METHODS: Bibliographic review based on biobankswith focus on Urology.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Well-organized, largebiobanks are a key element in research in Uro-oncology.The integration of theses resources with molecular sciencesand various “omics”, together with powerful availablebioinformatic tools enable the advance in the knowledgeof development of uro-oncological diseases, with strongimplications at the time of very advanced therapeuticstrategies. However, in Spain, these valuable collectionsof tissue material and biological fluids are usually not muchin use, mainly due to fragmentation, low accessibility,lack of proper management strategies (such as lack ofconsensus about standard operative procedures), limitedspecific policies of use and distribution, as well as lackof a comprehensive base in which the research needsare reflected under interdisciplinar and multi-institutionalfocus. We must add the frequent ignorance of the highscientific potential of these institutions in the urologicalworld. The development of the Spanish National Plan ofBiobanks brings light for the better use of these materialsby the uro-oncological community. We present a generalview on the biobank topic, which may serve as a modelfor future debates about their use in uro-oncology. Thisapproach is based in data from the literature and resultsof discussions in various international forums