Ongoing Research

Collaborative Projects: University of Bern & McGill University

1. Interstitial Lung Disease

Project Title: Integration of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Evaluate Pulmonary Inflammation and Functional Impairment
Aim: To develop an AI-based system that integrates clinical data, imaging, and proteomic markers to improve diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary inflammation in interstitial lung disease.
Investigators:
Manuela Funke-Chambour, M.D., Inselspital and Simon Rousseau, Ph.D., McGill University Health Centre

2. Peripheral Artery Disease

Project Title: A Genomic and Multi-Scale Imaging Approach for Precision Care in Peripheral Artery Disease
Aim: To combine high-resolution vascular imaging with Whole Exome Genome Sequencing (WEGS) to identify novel genotype–phenotype associations and define PAD endotypes.
Investigators:
Marc Schindewolf, M.D., Inselspital; Katerina Trajanoska, M.D.-Ph.D., Erasmus Medical Center (formerly McGill University); Prof. Vincent Mooser, McGill University

Contact – Collaborative Projects

For further details or academic inquiries regarding these projects, please contact:

Prof. Dr. med. Manuela Funke-Chambour
Department of Pneumology
Inselspital
Email
Prof. Dr. med. Marc Schindewolf
Department of Angiology
Inselspital
Email

Research Projects Awarded Through Our Internal Seed Grant

1. PolygEnic Risk Score to Optimize Primary Prevention in Intermediate Risk Population (PERSONAL)

Background & Rationale
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death. For patients at intermediate risk—where treatment guidelines are less clear—existing tools like SCORE2 may be insufficient. Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) can improve risk prediction in this group. Combining PRS with screening for rare high-risk mutations offers a promising approach for personalized prevention.

Objective & Design
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 204 adults aged 40–70 with intermediate cardiovascular risk. Participants in the PRS group will receive individual genetic risk assessments. The study aims to show that PRS improves SCORE2 risk profiles over 15 months, with blinded analysis supported by the Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) Bern.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Elisavet Moutzouri Beifuss, Inselspital Bern

2. Integrating Genomics into HIV Care: A Longitudinal Study of Chronic Disease Risk

Background & Rationale
People living with HIV face elevated chronic disease risks due to complex host-virus interactions and treatment effects. The utility of polygenic risk scores in this context remains underexplored.

Objective & Design
This observational study uses Whole Genome Sequencing data from 250 participants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study to evaluate the role of genomic risk prediction in managing long-term chronic disease risk over more than 20 years of follow-up.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. med. Andri Rauch, Inselspital Bern

Contact – Seed Grant Projects