2025

The Department of Clinical Research hosted its third Day of Clinical Research at Inselspital and sitem-insel, bringing together clinical researchers across many disciplines. The event featured keynote lectures by Prof. Mervyn Singer and Prof. Lars Hemkens on sepsis and novel trial designs. Prof. Singer also participated in the Women in Clinical Research Lunch on 3 December, discussing career challenges for women in the field.The programme also included a poster walk and the Junior Research Showcase, held on 9 December, showcasing research in Clinical Studies and Imaging, led by Prof. Guido Beldi and Prof. Benjamin Victor Ineichen. The Junior Research Showcase highlighted innovative work through Pecha-Kucha-style presentations.

See the event highlights in our photo gallery here.

The Department of Clinical Research (DCR), University of Bern, has initiated EVALUATE, a new study led by Prof. Dr. Eva Segelov to investigate liver health in individuals who have survived breast or colorectal cancer.

EVALUATE focuses on fibrotic MASLD (Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) and examines how frequently this condition occurs in people who have been cancer-free for five to ten years. By understanding potential long-term effects on the liver, the project aims to strengthen follow-up care and support better health outcomes for future cancer survivors.

Human Research in Switzerland 2024 Report (BASEC Annual Report 2024) is now available here.

Key findings include:
- In 2024, 2,681 research projects were submitted to the cantonal ethics committee and 2,101 were approved.
- The studies on secondary use of data and samples have increased significantly and now represent the largest share.

The University of Bern (uniAKTUELL) published an article about the Director of the Department of Clinical Research, Prof. Segelov, highlighting her commitment to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in clinical research and her dedication to promoting gender equality in the research field. Check out the article here.

The Department of Clinical Research (DCR) has established its new Medical Data Science (MDS) Unit, led by the newly appointed Tenure Professor, Prof. Dr. Dr. Benjamin Ineichen.

The new guidance document published by the SPHN ELSI advisory group gives insight into the correct use of human genomic data for research purposes. It offers valuable practical ethical recommendations, covering topics such as consent, responsible communication of genetic findings, and data protection.

Explore the new SPHN guidance document here.