Department of Dermatology

Inselspital Bern

The Department covers the entire spectrum of dermatological diseases. In addition to clinical services and teaching, it conducts high-quality clinical and translational research focusing on the underlying immunological mechanisms of inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases and the regulation of cytoarchitecture and cell integrity.

To the Inselspital website

Director

Prof. L. Borradori

Profile

  • Investigation of how T cell metabolism and T cell function are linked in inflammatory skin diseases
  • Investigation of the skin-specific cytokine interleukin 9 (IL-9) and its role in skin inflammation
  • Investigation of epithelial barrier dysfunction and type 2 inflammation
  • Translational and precision medicine studies in cutaneous T cell lymphoma
  • Dissect the autoimmune response in pemphigus with a focus on multi-omics characterization of the autoantibody-mediated tissue damage and skin blistering
  • A comprehensive systems biology approach to stem cell-mediated skin homeostasis implicating genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, biochemical and biophysical circuits
  • Investigation of bioelectricity to reduce stress, enhance wound healing and harmonize skin homeostasis
  • Clinical trials with novel biologics and targeted therapies for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and melanoma
  • Deciphering the molecular mechanism of action of novel topical treatments for inflammatory skin disease
  • Investigating the role of upstream regulators of Th2 cells in atopic dermatitis
  • Analyzing the role of the cytokine interleukin 9 (IL-9) in skin inflammation

External Partners

Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona; Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai; Department of Immunology, University Hospital, Zurich; C.H.U. Henri Mondor, Paris; University Hospital, Düsseldorf; Universitätsklinikum Marburg; Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH, Zurich; Centro Studi GISED, Bergamo; Lübeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck; Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich; Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA USA; The Regional Dermatology Training Centre, Tanzania; Department of Dermatology, Lausanne; Institute of Computational Biology, Munich; Department of Dermatology, Copenhagen; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Copenhagen; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen; Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Parkville; Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover; Center for Allergy and Environment, Munich

Grants

  • Ruth & Arthur Scherbarth Foundation: The IL-18 Conundrum: Investigating the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. CHF 20'000; 2024-2025
  • LEO Foundation: The IL-18 Conundrum: Investigating the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. CHF 514’621; 2024-2027
  • Stiftung für klinisch-experimentelle Tumorforschung (SKET): The interleukin 9 receptor as therapeutic target in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. CHF 80'000; 2024-2027

Highlights 2025

IL-18 in atopic dermatitis - a multifaceted driver of skin inflammation

Bähler et al. review the emerging role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in atopic dermatitis. IL-18 is released by stressed keratinocytes upon skin barrier disruption and acts as an upstream amplifier of type 2 inflammation. The review highlights how IL-18 activates innate immune cells and sensitizes pathogenic TH2 cells, thereby sustaining chronic skin inflammation. By integrating epithelial, innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, the authors identify IL-18 as a key link between barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation and a promising therapeutic target in atopic dermatitis.

Bähler et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025

Desmoglein-driven dynamic signaling in pemphigus vulgaris: a systematic review of pathogenic pathways

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe autoimmune bullous disease of the skin and mucosae due to autoantibodies directed against two components of desmosomes, cell-cell adhesion complexes in epithelial tissues, desmoglein 3 and desmoglein.

This systematic review represents the most comprehensive analysis of all biomechanical, bioelectrical, and biochemical signaling events triggered by PV autoantibody binding to desmosomes described during a half-century of studies in PV. The data is expected to stimulate future research in PV as well as development of potential new therapeutic options for PV patients.

Rahimi et al., NPJ Regen Med. 2025

Dermatological emergencies and determinants of hospitalization in Switzerland: A retrospective study

Dermatological emergencies (DEs) are estimated to account for approximately 8% of all visits at emergency departments (EDs). We explored clinical variables affecting patients' disposal and hospitalization of people attending the ED of the University Hospital of Bern, for a dermatological problem over a 56-month observational period. Analysis of 5096 consecutive patients allowed to identify determinants and risk factors for hospital admission in patients with DEs useful to make patients' disposal more efficient at EDs. The results also indicate that the dermatological specialty is becoming increasingly marginalized in the management of patients with DEs in our Swiss hospital setting. This trend may have significant implications for the delivery of adequate medical care, diagnostic accuracy, outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Cazzaniga et al., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025

EB Center Recognized and Funded for Outstanding EB Care

The Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Center at Inselspital (EB-Insel), which provides high‑quality multidisciplinary care and support for patients with skin fragility syndromes, has received significant financial support to further develop its expertise and services. Under the leadership of PD Dr. med. Antonia Reimer‑Taschenbrecker, EB‑Insel was awarded substantial grants from the Benecare Foundation, the Scherbarth Foundation, Fondation Enfants Papillons, and DEBRA Switzerland in recognition of its remarkable and unique services for EB patients in Switzerland.

To the Multidisciplinary consultation EB (epidermolysis bullosa) on the Insel-Website (German)

Stefanie Schärli awarded DGAKI Förderpreis for innovative immunological research

Stefanie Schärli, PhD student in the lab of Christoph Schlapbach, has been honored with the Förderpreis „Neue immunologische Therapien atopischer/allergischer Erkrankungen“ by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI). This award recognizes outstanding scientific work on innovative immunological therapies for atopic and allergic diseases and was presented at the 20th German Allergy Congress in Düsseldorf. The award underscores Stefanie Schärli’s contribution to advancing novel therapeutic concepts in allergic immune regulation.

About the Förderpreis on the DGAKI website (German)