Inaugural Lectures

Covid-19 research receives 8.4 million francs in national funding

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) supports fifteen Bernese Covid-19 research projects totalling 8.4 million Swiss francs. These should contribute in helping to develop solutions to combat the pandemic in Switzerland. The projects deal with topics ranging from the effects of Covid-19 on the cardiovascular system to the use of artificial intelligence in the treatment of Covid-19 patients in hospital.

Increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapy against skin cancer

Researchers at the University of Bern have discovered a mechanism in the body’s own immune system which is responsible for the maturing and activation of immune cells. In the fight against skin cancer, the results have the potential to help immunotherapy succeed, even for patients on whom it previously had no effect.

Four ERC Starting Grants for researchers from Bern

Four researchers from the University of Bern will each receive one of the coveted "Starting Grants" from the European Research Council (ERC). The plant researcher Christelle Robert wants to use the grants to understand the interactions between plants and natural enemies of pests, while the economist Christoph Oberlack is investigating new ways of establishing environmental justice. Physiologist Ziad Al Nabhani is investigating the influence of early childhood nutrition on the immune system, and chemist Tomas Solomek is exploring new ways to better understand and use a material of the future.

New Full Professor for Human Genetics and Director and Head Physician at the University Clinic for Human Genetics

The Executive Board of the University has elected Christiane Zweier as full professor of human genetics as of September 1. She succeeds Sabina Gallati and becomes Director and Chief Physician of the University Clinic for Human Genetics.

Rapid test for the determination of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

A Swiss-German team presents a test that determines the amount of neutralising antibodies within a short period of time. The test was developed at the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) of the University of Bern and the Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Animal Health, and evaluated in cooperation with colleagues from the Ruhr-University Bochum using serum samples from COVID-19 patients.

Immunoprotein impairs Sars-Cov-2

An international team with researchers of the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) of the University of Bern and the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) showed that an endogenous protein prevents the virus from fusing with host cells. This raises hopes for new therapeutic approaches.

Discovery of new genes that influence the success of cancer treatment

One of the great mysteries of cancer research is why certain patients respond better to radiation therapy than others. Researchers at the University of Bern have now discovered which genes play an important role in this. This results in new findings for cancer treatment.

Gut microbes shape our antibodies before we are infected by pathogens

Colonization with intestinal microbes is known to shape many body systems, especially the white blood cells that produce antibodies. Because the microbiota is so complex, containing hundreds of different bacterial species, it is not known how the presence of microbes in the intestine shaped the antibodies that are present even before we are challenged by an infection. Researchers at the Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) of the University of Bern and the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, have now shown how these beneficial microbes reprogram the repertoire of white blood B cells that produce antibodies and how this helps counter infections.

Improving health care for migrant women

An international study led by the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern examined the access of migrant women to the Swiss health care system. Based on the patients' experiences, the researchers developed ten concrete recommendations to improve access to health services for previously underserved groups.

M sleep influences eating behavior

Many different regions of the brain show increased activity during REM sleep - why, but is largely unknown. Researchers at the University of Bern and Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, have now discovered that the activity of certain nerve cells during REM sleep regulates our eating behavior: if this activity is suppressed in mice, their appetite is disturbed.

Age-related impairments reversed in animal model

Frailty and immune decline are two main features of old age. Researchers from the University of Bern and the University Hospital Bern now demonstrate in an animal model that these two age-related impairments can be halted and even partially reversed using a novel cell-based therapeutic approach.

Next-Generation Sequencing to provide Precision medicine for Rare Metabolic Disorders

Advances in next-generation-sequencing technology that allow researchers to look at billions of pieces of genetic information are changing the way a disease is diagnosed. Correct identification of changes in the human genetic code responsible for rare metabolic disorders provides scientists and physicians with fact-based guidelines for the treatment

Extraordinary Professor of Primary Care Pharmacy

On 1 June 2020, the Executive Board of the University appointed Alice Panchaud to the newly created position of Extraordinary Professor of Primary Care Pharmacy. Alice Panchaud also became a member of the BIHAM Management Board.

Extraordinary Professor of Primary Care

On 1 May 2020, the Executive Board of the University appointed Sven Streit to the newly created position of Extraordinary Professor of Primary Care. He also became a member of the BIHAM Management Board.

New professor in pediatrics

The Medical Faculty welcomes Mr. Matthias Kopp. Prof. Kopp has been appointed by the University Management as Full Professor of Pediatrics and successor of Prof. Ch. Aebi.

Designing animal studies to improve research reproducibility and reduce animal use

At the invitation of the University of Bern, international experts worked out new recommendations for the design of animal studies. They encourage a paradigm shift to improve the reproducibility of scientific results and reduce animal numbers.

Even natural products can be harmful for the unborn child

Plant products ingested by pregnant women through their diet are broken down by the intestinal microbiota into chemical substances, some of which can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus. These foreign substances can harm the unborn child, even if they are of "natural origin". Researchers at the Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) at the University of Bern and Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, therefore warn against underestimating the effects of such substances.

Dynamic measures against the coronavirus examined

An alternating cycle of suppression interventions and relaxation could offer a pragmatic strategy - particularly for developing countries - to prevent health systems from being overloaded while reducing the economical and societal burden. This is illustrated in an international study with significant participation by the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern.