Der Eingabetermin für Gesuche wurde für das Jahr 2024 auf den 6. Mai festgelegt. Forschende, welche sich für die Einreichung eines Gesuches interessieren, erhalten hier weitere Informationen.
The submission deadline for grant applications has been set: May 6, 2024. For further information in English click here.
Numerous human diseases are caused by genetic or acquired ion channel dysfunction called channelopathies. Ion channels are membrane proteins allowing the passage of ions. The cardiac sodium ion channel Nav1.5, which gene is SCN5A, plays a pivotal role in such disorders. Nav1.5 channels are mainly expressed in the heart. Several hundred genetic variants in SCN5A were found in patients with a broad spectrum of cardiac manifestations, such as LQTS type 3, BrS, atrial fibrillation, and dilated cardiomyopathy. As with other proteins, the Nav1.5 channel interacts with many proteins, leading to its fine-tuning of expression, localization, and function. The work of our group is focused on deciphering which partner proteins interact with Nav1.5, leading to its proper function. The main technics used to perform such investigations are biochemical assays named co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments. However, the crucial step for this biochemical assay is the extraction of large proteins such as Nav1.5 α-subunit monomer (~220 KDa). In addition to their size, the embedment of those ion channels in a lipid bilayer, such as a plasma membrane, renders the extraction more difficult than cyto-soluble protein.
The homogenizer ‘Bioprep-24R’’ (ALLSHENG) that we were able to acquire, thanks to the UniBern Forschungsstiftungs’ grant, becomes essential for such investigation. The team members largely benefit from this new equipment to extract efficiently voltage-gated ion channels expressed in different organs and tissues. The homogenizer permits fast, effective, and reproducible homogenization, relating to the three-dimensional high-speed vibration and beating of grinding beads (glass beads, ceramic beads, steel balls, etc.).
We can now efficiently extract Nav1.5 channels from animal organs, a critical step to performing co-immunoprecipitation experiments.
PD Dr. Jean-Sébastien ROUGIER
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Western blot showing the efficiency of Nav1.5 extraction from murine hearts using either the classical homogenization procedure or the Bioprep-24R.
The homogenizer ‘Bioprep-24R’’ (ALLSHENG) and western blot showing the expression of Nav1.5 channel exclusively in the murine heart (ventricles).
Protein synthesis is a central process in gene expression and the development of efficient in vitro translation systems has been the focus of scientific efforts for decades. The production of translation-competent lysates originating from human cells or tissues remains challenging, mainly due to the variability of cell lysis conditions.
With the funding that was acquired thanks to the UniBern Forschungsstiftungs grant we obtained a dual centrifugation device that allows for detergent-free cell lysis under controlled mechanical forces (published in Gurzeler et al., RNA biol., 2022).
We optimized the lysate preparation to yield cytoplasm-enriched extracts from human cells that efficiently translate mRNAs in a cap-dependent as well as in an IRES-mediated way. Using the derived lysates, we contributed to elucidating the role of Nsp1, a potent virulent factor produced during the early steps of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in human cells (Schubert, Karousis et al., Nature Struct. Mol. Biol, 2020) in collaboration with the group of Nenad Ban.
Additionally, we routinely use the technique now for immunoprecipitation experiments or for structural studies and we explore the potential for using it as a method of cell fractionation. The next goal is to develop a screening platform for human translation inhibitors based on in vitro translation. Therefore, the acquisition of this equipment led to the development of new exciting projects in the field of human translation.
Evangelos D. Karousis, PhD
Dept. of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Die Projektförderung wurde ermöglicht durch einen Beitrag des BEKB Förderfonds
Our research group aims at improving pain recognition and treatment in animals. As animals cannot communicate verbally their feelings, it is of particular importance to rely on objective tools that allow measuring pain and its modulation in an objective way.
With the financial support of the UniBern Forschungsstiftung we were able to acquire a Dolosys Paintracker (Fig. 1), that allows a non-invasive, continuous determination of the «nociceptive withdrawal reflex» threshold (the pain threshold) in animals of different species. Through surface electrodes, electrical stimuli are applied to a peripheral nerve (Fig. 2) and the evoked muscular response is quantified by electromyography (Fig. 3 and 4). Based on predefined criteria, the software automatically detects the nociceptive threshold and tracks it over time. The automated continuous threshold tracking, compared to the classical methodology applied in past trials, opens new possibilities in several domain of pharmacological and clinical pain research.
At present, with the use of the Dolosys, we aim at developing a Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) paradigm that allows quantifying the extent of endogenous pain modulation in healthy horses. Later, the developed CPM tool will be applied to horses affected by chronic pain to establish whether impaired endogenous pain control substantially contributes to the observed clinical pain phenotype, as observed for several chronic pain conditions in humans. This might strongly influence our approach to therapy, increasing the chances of successful clinical outcomes and thus overall contributing to improved animal welfare.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Spadavecchia
Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Section
Vetsuisse Faculty
Figure 1: the Dolosys Paintracker in use
Figure 2: stimulation electrodes in place over the lateral palmar digital nerve
Figure 3: recording electrodes in lace over the deltoid muscle
Figure 4: horse fully equipped for NWR measurements
One research topic of the Division of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Vetsuisse Faculty is to explore and understand possible risks of non-ionizing radiation, namely radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure in the brain. We investigate effects of RF-EMF during different stages of brain development or its effect in the or development of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease).
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSc)-derived neurons and iPSc-derived brain organoids are used as models. These types of culture require the use of an incubator to minimize humidity, temperature and pH variations during all iPSc expansion periods, induction of neuronal differentiation, and the first week of development of midbrain organoids (Figure 1).
The PHCbi CO2 incubator with four inner doors purchased with the funds provided from the Berne University Research Foundation allowed stable conditions during the culturing even though the incubator was opened various times per day due to the need to medium change etc (Figure 2).
Two projects were successfully completed:
1. Generation and characterization of iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons to study effects of 5G radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on neuronal development
2. The role of RF-EMF (5G) on neuronal development and neuronal health using brain organoids
The obtained data showed that RF-EMF did not significantly change the investigated markers essential for neural development as well as the maturity and the dopaminergic phenotype. A non-significant trend toward changes in the ERK activation was found, indicating an effect on differentiation if it is not transient.
Preliminary results from 5G RF-EMF exposure with cerebral and midbrain organoid indicated no alteration of neuronal maturity and the dopaminergic phenotype, anda significant decrease in synaptophysin protein levels in cerebral organoids after RF-EMF exposure at day 30, indicating a reduced synaptic activity (Figures 3 and 4). Furthermore, a decrease in neuronal progenitor cells expressed in ventricle-like zones of cerebral organoids, whereas an increase of these cells was found in midbrain organoids.
Further research will include investigations at different times of midbrain development, different specific absorption rates (SAR), and exposure times during neuronal development and disease models of neurodegeneration.
Angélique Ducray, PhD
Senior Scientist
Vetsuisse Faculty
Figure 1: Timeline of monolayer production. Representative images of each of the three phases are shown. (A) Cell culture on day in vitro (DIV) 6 Passage (P) 2 during induction into neural progenitor cells (NPC). (B) Cell culture on DIV6 P3 during differentiation into midbrain neuronal precursors. (C) Cell culture on DIV9 P4 during maturation into midbrain neurons from midbrain neuronal precursors. Scale bars:100 μm.
Figure 2: Homogenous development of both types of organoids showed with representative bright-field images acquired at time points DIV2, 5, 7, 10, and 20 for midbrain (A-E) and cerebral (F-J) organoids. Magnification 4x, scale bar = 200 μm.
Figure 3: Representative immunofluorescence images of cerebral organoids after 30 days of development (A-B). Organoids were stained with synaptophysin (green) and TUJ1 (red). Cell nuclei were visualized with Hoechst 33342 (blue). Magnification 4x with scale bar = 200 μm (A), magnification 20x with scale bar = 100 μm (B), magnification 60x with scale bar = 20 μm
Figure 4: Representative immunofluorescence images of midbrain organoids after 30 days of development (A-B). Organoids were stained with synaptophysin (green) and TUJ1 (red). Cell nuclei were visualized with Hoechst 33342 (blue). Magnification 4x with scale bar = 200 μm (A), magnification 20x with scale bar = 100 μm (B), magnification 60x with scale bar = 20 μm
Unter dem Punkt «Projekte» veröffentlichen wir kurze Einblicke in eine kleine Auswahl der unterstützten Projekte.
Die neusten Beiträge stammen von Prof. Dr. Madhav P. Thakur aus dem Institut für Ökologie und Evolution, Abteilung Terrestrial Ecology, von Dr. Ehsan Hassanpour Yesaghi von der Universitätsklinik für Diabetologie, Endokrinologie, Ernährungsmedizin und Metabolismus (Inselspital) und von Herrn Prof. Dr. Olivier Guenat vom ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research.
Die Einbände der erschienenen Publikationen, welche die Stiftung mit einem Druckkostenzuschuss unterstützt hat, sind in der Galerie der Druckkostenzuschüsse aufgeschaltet.
Einmal pro Jahr druckt die Stiftung einen Flyer zu einem Projekt, das sie unterstützt hat. Unter dem Punkt «Projektflyer» ist die Nr. 15 zu einem Projekt von Prof. Dr. Christoph von Ballmoos vom Departement für Chemie, Biochemie und Pharmazie zu finden.
Organs-on-Chip sind fortschrittliche in-vitro Modelle, die die physikalischen und biochemischen Merkmale der zellulären Mikroumgebung nachbilden. Sie bestehen aus mikrofabrizierten Strukturen, die der Grössenordnung von Zellaggregaten ähneln, um die Gewebephysiologie auf kontrollierte Weise zu untersuchen. Dynamische Einflüsse wie Strömung, chemische Gradienten und einwirkende Kräfte können genauestens angepasst werden, um eine organspezifische Umgebung zu schaffen, die den jeweiligen Zellphänotyp aufrechterhält oder zur Zelldifferenzierung anregt. Dies ermöglicht eine funktionelle Gewebesimulation komplexer biologischer Prozesse.
Das ARTORG Organs-on-Chip Technologies Labor ist eine vor 13 Jahren gegründete Forschungsgruppe. Das Labor kombiniert Ingenieurwissenschaften, Mikrofluidik und Zellbiologie und verfügt über modernste Ausrüstung für Chipdesign, verschiedenste Analysen und mikroskopische Bildgebung. Die Organs-on-Chip Facility (OOCF) wurde geschaffen, um Forschende bei der Entwicklung, Herstellung und Prüfung von Chips zu unterstützen, und umfasst ein Mikrofabrikationslabor und ein Zellkulturlabor mit einem speziell ausgebildetem Team. Die OOCF erfreut sich zunehmender Beliebtheit, mit mehr als 40 Nutzenden pro Jahr.
Die bei der UniBern Forschungsstiftung eingeworbenen Mittel wurden für die Anschaffung eines Sauerstoffplasmareaktors sowie einer Laminar-Flow-Werkbank zur Unterbringung des Reaktors verwendet. Der Sauerstoffplasmareaktor ist eines der am häufigsten verwendeten Instrumente im OOCF für die Entwicklung und Produktion von Organs-on-Chips. Das neue System ermöglicht es, höhere Plasmaintensitäten zu erreichen und das Plasma genauer zu steuern.
Als Beispiel für Organ-on-Chips zeigen die beigefügten Bilder ein mikrovaskuläres System aus menschlichen Fibroblasten und Gefässzellen, die sich dank des mikrofluidischen Chips selbst organisieren können. Dieser Mikrovaskulatur-on-Chip wurde mit Hilfe des Sauerstoffplasmareaktors hergestellt. Ein auf diese Weise hergestelltes mikrovaskuläres System erfüllt die spezifischen Gewebefunktionen genauso wie im menschlichen Körper. Auf diese Weise können für die Medizin relevante Untersuchungen einfacher und sicherer durchgeführt werden.
Prof. Dr. Olivier Guenat
Head Organs-On-Chip Technologies
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research
Our research group aims to understand climate change (mainly warming and drought) effects on terrestrial biodiversity using microorganisms, invertebrates, and plants from grasslands. Our study approach involves experiments carried out both in the laboratory and in the field. One of our major research frameworks is to incorporate how various life forms (microorganisms, invertebrates, and plants) respond during and after climate extremes (e.g., heat waves). To do so, we measure population dynamics, life history and functional traits of our study organisms.
With the help of the UniBern Forschungsstiftung, we were able to acquire a state-of-the-art widefield microscope (Nikon Ti2 Eclipse) equipped with an automated stage, fluorescence camera, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Nikon Ti2 Eclipse has become our go-to microscope for high-resolution images to investigate microbial and plant traits in our experiments. Moreover, using AI techniques, we are able to acquire high-throughput data on the fungal colonization (e.g., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) of plant roots. Finally, we are using this microscope to understand fungal-bacterial interactions using high-resolution fluorescence images. All these workflows strengthen our research to understand how microscopic organisms respond to climate change.
Prof. Dr. Madhav P. Thakur
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Division Terrestrial Ecology
Images by Nicolo Tartini (a), Jingjing Shi (b) and Jan Philip Tscheulin (c)
Die Fördersumme unserer Stiftung zugunsten der Forschenden der Universität Bern beträgt im Jahr 2023 insgesamt CHF 345’206.–. Weiter unten auf dieser Seite ist die Liste der bewilligten Gesuche – geordnet nach Fakultäten – einsehbar. Die Antragssumme belief sich auf total CHF 469’764.–, verteilt auf 52 Gesuche.
Die Förderbeiträge werden finanziert aus dem allgemeinen Betriebsfonds unserer Stiftung, der Zuwendung der IMG Stiftung, dem Beitrag aus dem BEKB Förderfonds, der Zuwendung für Nachwuchsforschende und dem Legat Schwemer. Die Stiftung hat aktuell die Möglichkeit, über insgesamt fünf Fördergefässe Beiträge an die Forschenden auszuschütten. Mehr Informationen dazu finden Sie hier. Der allgemeine Betriebsfonds finanziert sich durch den Ertrag der Wertschriften und Spenden von Privatpersonen, Stiftungen und Firmen, mehrheitlich aus dem Kanton Bern.
Der Jahresbericht 2022 wurde an der Stiftungsratssitzung vom 27. Juni 2023 einstimmig genehmigt. Er kann hier heruntergeladen werden. Der Jahresbericht 2023 erscheint im Juli 2024.
The annual report 2022 has been approved by the board of the Foundation at its meeting of June 2027, 2023. It can be downloaded here (German). The annual report 2023 will be published in July 2024.
