1.Improvement of the diagnostics for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)
After the establishment of the first comprehensive PCD diagnostic center (PCD-UNIBE, collaboration with PD Dr. Stefan Tschanz from the Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern) of Switzerland in 2018, we constantly work on improving the PCD diagnostics: We work on the establishment of new immunofluorescence stainings and the improvement of the cell cultivation method. Furthermore, within a collaboration with Dr. Martin Schneiter from the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP, University of Bern) we developed a new software (called “Cilialyzer”) to enable the analysis of the ciliary motility in the classical high-speed-videomicroscopy as well as in intact air-liquid-interface cell cultures of nasal epithelial cells. We also work on using computational reflective microscopy to characterize the collective mucociliary activity od air-liquid-interface cell culture, a method which in future may be used as a new diagnostic method for PCD. Furthermore, we collaborate with the group of Prof. Dr. Takashi Ishikawa (Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)) on the ultrastructure of the ciliary axoneme of PCD patients using electron cryo tomography (cryo-EM).
2. Understanding of disease mechanisms of PCD and the effects of treatments
PCD is a still not well-understood disease and treatments are mostly adapted from cystic fibrosis. We currently study whether the use lidocaine as a nasal spray impact the ciliary beating (pattern and frequency) or whether it can be used during the nasal brushing to reduce some of the pain. Furthermore, we study the effect of inhalative treatments (e.g. salbutamol, hypertonic saline) on the level of the motility of respiratory cilia. We also closely collaborate with the groups of Prof. Claudia Kuehni and PD. Dr. Myrofora Goutaki (both Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern), especially for the matter of the Swiss and the international PCD Registry.
3. Influence of early-life nutrition on the gut microbiome and the immune system
We aim to understand the influence of early-life nutrition including breast feeding on the development of the gut microbiome and the in parallel maturing immune system and how the interplay of these factors influence the development of allergic diseases in childhood. Previous findings of studies with farmers’ children showed that a diverse nutrition together with more biodiversity in the environment were important factors in protecting children from the development of allergies. The CARE Study is an ongoing birth cohort study where we collect detailed information about the nutrition in the first year of life, about the development of the gut microbiome and metabolome, and about the immune system. With the gained knowledge we aim to develop new strategies for allergy prevention. (https://ck-care.ch/care-studie/)
4. Role of the innate epithelial immunity in viral infections and the effects of different treatments
Currently, we study the effect of a treatment with a bacterial lysate and a plant-based extract on epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface and in submerged conditions in the context of viral infections (e.g. human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus). We study how the anti-viral response and the first line defense mechanisms (e.g. mucociliary activity, barrier integrity) are affected.
5. Effect of vaping on the health of adolescents
In collaboration with the Bern Basel infant lung development (BILD) cohort we try to understand how and if vaping affects the function of the respiratory mucosa (e.g. ciliary beating frequency, mucociliary transport) and the anti-viral response. This project is in close collaboration with Dr. Julian Jakob (Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology in the Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)).
