diff --git a/agents/pom.xml b/agents/pom.xml
index 21262263f..b5292869b 100644
--- a/agents/pom.xml
+++ b/agents/pom.xml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<modules>
diff --git a/agents/solr/pom.xml b/agents/solr/pom.xml
index 0799eb825..58767cfc7 100644
--- a/agents/solr/pom.xml
+++ b/agents/solr/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -15,22 +15,22 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-solr</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>messaging</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/agents/uploadworkers/pom.xml b/agents/uploadworkers/pom.xml
index 6f11841f5..72d8d0c5e 100644
--- a/agents/uploadworkers/pom.xml
+++ b/agents/uploadworkers/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>biosamples-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
@@ -33,22 +33,22 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-webapp</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>messaging</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
diff --git a/client/client/pom.xml b/client/client/pom.xml
index e60390ad2..1254fa594 100644
--- a/client/client/pom.xml
+++ b/client/client/pom.xml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/client/pom.xml b/client/pom.xml
index 232c2da99..b4ba991f6 100644
--- a/client/pom.xml
+++ b/client/pom.xml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/client/starter/pom.xml b/client/starter/pom.xml
index 8d372fedf..25ca73bef 100644
--- a/client/starter/pom.xml
+++ b/client/starter/pom.xml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 	<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 	<artifactId>biosamples-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
-	<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 
 	<packaging>jar</packaging>
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>client</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
diff --git a/commons/pom.xml b/commons/pom.xml
index 19da7ed58..8edacaaa8 100644
--- a/commons/pom.xml
+++ b/commons/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 <parent>
 	<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 	<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-	<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 </parent>
 
 	<properties>
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@
 	<dependency>
 	<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 	<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-	<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</dependency>
 	<dependency>
 	<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 	<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-	<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</dependency>
 	<dependency>
 	<groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.core</groupId>
diff --git a/docker-agents.sh b/docker-agents.sh
index 4ce95ca55..b244adca8 100755
--- a/docker-agents.sh
+++ b/docker-agents.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 set -e
 
-docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-agents-solr java -jar agents-solr-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-agents-solr java -jar agents-solr-5.3.8-RC1.jar
 echo "Successfully runned agents"
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index bfb360476..1fabe9c9a 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - webapps-core-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.war
+    - webapps-core-5.3.8-RC1.war
     environment:
     - env=local
     #application properties
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ services:
     command:
       - java
       - -jar
-      - webapps-core-v2-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+      - webapps-core-v2-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
       #application properties
       - biosamples.bulksubmisison.webin.superuser.validation=true
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - agents-solr-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - agents-solr-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - SPRING_RABBITMQ_HOST=rabbitmq
     - SPRING_RABBITMQ_PUBLISHER-CONFIRMS=true
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ services:
     command:
       - java
       - -jar
-      - agents-uploadworkers-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+      - agents-uploadworkers-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
       #AAP certificate
       - jwt.certificate=public.explore.der
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-ena-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-ena-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-ena.log
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-ncbi-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-ncbi-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-ncbi.log
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-accession-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-accession-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-accession.log
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-copydown-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-copydown-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-copydown.log
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-curation-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-curation-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-curation.log
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-zooma-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-zooma-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-zooma.log
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-reindex-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-reindex-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - LOGGING_FILE=/logs/pipelines-reindex.log
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - pipelines-export-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - pipelines-export-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     - --gzip
     - /export/export.json.gzip
     environment:
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ services:
     command:
     - java
     - -jar
-    - integration-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar
+    - integration-5.3.8-RC1.jar
     environment:
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI=http://biosamples-webapps-core:8080/biosamples
     - BIOSAMPLES_CLIENT_URI_V2=http://biosamples-webapps-core-v2:8080/biosamples/v2
diff --git a/docker-integration.big.sh b/docker-integration.big.sh
index c8dba71fa..e3e370efa 100755
--- a/docker-integration.big.sh
+++ b/docker-integration.big.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ ARGS=--spring.profiles.active=big
 for X in 1 2 3 4 5
 do
   #java -jar integration/target/integration-4.0.0-SNAPSHOT.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
-  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
+  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-RC1.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
   sleep 10 #solr is configured to commit every 5 seconds
 
 done
diff --git a/docker-integration.sh b/docker-integration.sh
index 503c62abd..faa815259 100755
--- a/docker-integration.sh
+++ b/docker-integration.sh
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ do
   echo "=================================== STARTING INTEGRATION TESTS PHASE-"$X "====================================="
   echo "============================================================================================================"
   #java -jar integration/target/integration-4.0.0-SNAPSHOT.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
-  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
+  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-RC1.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
   sleep 10 #solr is configured to commit every 5 seconds
 
 done
diff --git a/docker-test.sh b/docker-test.sh
index 55e7095f9..8e8542293 100755
--- a/docker-test.sh
+++ b/docker-test.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ docker-compose up -d biosamples-agents-solr
 
 for X in "$@"
 do
-  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-SNAPSHOT.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
+  docker-compose run --rm --service-ports biosamples-integration java -jar integration-5.3.8-RC1.jar --phase=$X $ARGS $@
   sleep 30 #solr is configured to commit every 5 seconds
 
 done
diff --git a/integration/pom.xml b/integration/pom.xml
index 67b9b1e5b..bba72ccc5 100644
--- a/integration/pom.xml
+++ b/integration/pom.xml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -14,28 +14,28 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>biosamples-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-sitemap</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-jsonld</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-neo4j</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/messaging/pom.xml b/messaging/pom.xml
index 4b8282e71..790b924cc 100644
--- a/messaging/pom.xml
+++ b/messaging/pom.xml
@@ -7,14 +7,14 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<dependencies>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
diff --git a/models/core/pom.xml b/models/core/pom.xml
index 772543615..cd0bfd99a 100644
--- a/models/core/pom.xml
+++ b/models/core/pom.xml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/models/curami/pom.xml b/models/curami/pom.xml
index 8cc827838..650feaac8 100644
--- a/models/curami/pom.xml
+++ b/models/curami/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
diff --git a/models/jsonld/pom.xml b/models/jsonld/pom.xml
index 27083b7fb..424e3ce16 100644
--- a/models/jsonld/pom.xml
+++ b/models/jsonld/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/models/mongo/pom.xml b/models/mongo/pom.xml
index 8db8fd501..00822d2f0 100644
--- a/models/mongo/pom.xml
+++ b/models/mongo/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,17 +16,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
diff --git a/models/neo4j/pom.xml b/models/neo4j/pom.xml
index 6ddef7d1b..025a4cc7e 100644
--- a/models/neo4j/pom.xml
+++ b/models/neo4j/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.neo4j.driver</groupId>
diff --git a/models/pom.xml b/models/pom.xml
index bbace2562..06b194f75 100644
--- a/models/pom.xml
+++ b/models/pom.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<modules>
diff --git a/models/security/pom.xml b/models/security/pom.xml
index b9d8c4838..eab3123a4 100644
--- a/models/security/pom.xml
+++ b/models/security/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 	</dependencies>
 </project>
diff --git a/models/sitemap/pom.xml b/models/sitemap/pom.xml
index 4211ee89f..d2649dfc4 100644
--- a/models/sitemap/pom.xml
+++ b/models/sitemap/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/models/solr/pom.xml b/models/solr/pom.xml
index 4878d52e3..9488c1245 100644
--- a/models/solr/pom.xml
+++ b/models/solr/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.data</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/analytics/pom.xml b/pipelines/analytics/pom.xml
index 0bd2385a5..999f0d21c 100644
--- a/pipelines/analytics/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/analytics/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -25,32 +25,32 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>webapps-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<classifier>classes</classifier>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/pipelines/chain/pom.xml b/pipelines/chain/pom.xml
index f0105c9f9..326d1c767 100644
--- a/pipelines/chain/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/chain/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/pipelines/copydown/pom.xml b/pipelines/copydown/pom.xml
index 3ba586b99..fb3b75be8 100644
--- a/pipelines/copydown/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/copydown/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/curami/pom.xml b/pipelines/curami/pom.xml
index 8d0bf6cf4..78bb7d28c 100644
--- a/pipelines/curami/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/curami/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -25,27 +25,27 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/curation/pom.xml b/pipelines/curation/pom.xml
index 11371c194..dd0e60779 100644
--- a/pipelines/curation/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/curation/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/pipelines/export/pom.xml b/pipelines/export/pom.xml
index b0def96af..4d39e5f00 100644
--- a/pipelines/export/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/export/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,17 +16,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/ncbi/pom.xml b/pipelines/ncbi/pom.xml
index a7f4fd1a7..a73b1f317 100644
--- a/pipelines/ncbi/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/ncbi/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,17 +16,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/neoexport/pom.xml b/pipelines/neoexport/pom.xml
index f2ef480c7..944030c22 100644
--- a/pipelines/neoexport/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/neoexport/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-neo4j</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.dataformat</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/pom.xml b/pipelines/pom.xml
index 81ce55ef1..cb3faa1b5 100644
--- a/pipelines/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/pom.xml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<profiles>
diff --git a/pipelines/reindex/pom.xml b/pipelines/reindex/pom.xml
index 91bfd8ae0..666034ec5 100644
--- a/pipelines/reindex/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/reindex/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,17 +16,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>messaging</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 	</dependencies>
diff --git a/pipelines/sample-post-release-action/pom.xml b/pipelines/sample-post-release-action/pom.xml
index 24a41344f..c75096f6f 100644
--- a/pipelines/sample-post-release-action/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/sample-post-release-action/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/pipelines/sample-release/pom.xml b/pipelines/sample-release/pom.xml
index 5eb163e7d..58ffaf408 100644
--- a/pipelines/sample-release/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/sample-release/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/sample-transformation-dtol/pom.xml b/pipelines/sample-transformation-dtol/pom.xml
index dd020cfba..43dcde181 100644
--- a/pipelines/sample-transformation-dtol/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/sample-transformation-dtol/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -25,27 +25,27 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>com.github.ben-manes.caffeine</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/taxonimport/pom.xml b/pipelines/taxonimport/pom.xml
index 9f52249b7..cdfb6c7b5 100644
--- a/pipelines/taxonimport/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/taxonimport/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -25,27 +25,27 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pipelines/zooma/pom.xml b/pipelines/zooma/pom.xml
index 7733beb0a..5cbd72b39 100644
--- a/pipelines/zooma/pom.xml
+++ b/pipelines/zooma/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-pipeline</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-ols</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>com.github.ben-manes.caffeine</groupId>
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>org.springframework.hateoas</groupId>
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 33ea09249..d57fe7cd1 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 	<modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
 	<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 	<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-	<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	<packaging>pom</packaging>
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
diff --git a/properties/pom.xml b/properties/pom.xml
index e6dfc94eb..9a0f5f70a 100644
--- a/properties/pom.xml
+++ b/properties/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/utils/client/pom.xml b/utils/client/pom.xml
index c9bb74460..8dc04c753 100644
--- a/utils/client/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/client/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/utils/ols/pom.xml b/utils/ols/pom.xml
index 0b1df768f..5e1e71f3f 100644
--- a/utils/ols/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/ols/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-client</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/utils/pipeline/pom.xml b/utils/pipeline/pom.xml
index cd01cbf9f..f14ba3a48 100644
--- a/utils/pipeline/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/pipeline/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>biosamples-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 
 		<dependency>
@@ -49,13 +49,13 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 			<scope>compile</scope>
 		</dependency>
 		<!-- use Dom4J for XML conversions -->
diff --git a/utils/pom.xml b/utils/pom.xml
index 12a5ccbef..6d9b52bb0 100644
--- a/utils/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/pom.xml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<modules>
diff --git a/utils/thread/pom.xml b/utils/thread/pom.xml
index 9d257ad45..dfc545588 100644
--- a/utils/thread/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/thread/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 </project>
diff --git a/utils/validation/pom.xml b/utils/validation/pom.xml
index 7ba04c024..31c6ea3bb 100644
--- a/utils/validation/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/validation/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,17 +16,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-client</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-webapp</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>javax.validation</groupId>
diff --git a/utils/webapp/pom.xml b/utils/webapp/pom.xml
index 2d8dc2f96..909a11737 100644
--- a/utils/webapp/pom.xml
+++ b/utils/webapp/pom.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
@@ -16,22 +16,22 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-security</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-mongo</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-solr</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.ena.taxonomy</groupId>
@@ -41,17 +41,17 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-core</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>messaging</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<!-- make xml serialization possible -->
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/webapps/core-v2/pom.xml b/webapps/core-v2/pom.xml
index 0e279b888..df5fa8bd3 100644
--- a/webapps/core-v2/pom.xml
+++ b/webapps/core-v2/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 	<properties>
@@ -18,27 +18,27 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-webapp</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-validation</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<!-- other spring dependencies -->
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/webapps/core/pom.xml b/webapps/core/pom.xml
index 83ffa7013..90306d129 100644
--- a/webapps/core/pom.xml
+++ b/webapps/core/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		<relativePath>../../</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 	<properties>
@@ -20,52 +20,52 @@
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-webapp</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>commons</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-thread</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>utils-validation</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>properties</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-solr</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-jsonld</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-sitemap</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-neo4j</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<dependency>
 			<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 			<artifactId>models-curami</artifactId>
-			<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+			<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 		</dependency>
 		<!-- use Thymeleaf for HTML templating -->
 		<dependency>
diff --git a/webapps/pom.xml b/webapps/pom.xml
index 6a46dd09c..3a6ffa1e1 100644
--- a/webapps/pom.xml
+++ b/webapps/pom.xml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>uk.ac.ebi.biosamples</groupId>
 		<artifactId>biosamples</artifactId>
-		<version>5.3.8-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>5.3.8-RC1</version>
 	</parent>
 
 	<modules>