Universität Bern

A gene desert adjacent to the Shox2 gene, crucial for limb and cardiac development, contains 15 regulatory elements that control Shox2 activity, impacting sinoatrial node formation and heart rate regulation. These findings, published in *Nature Communications*, highlight the importance of non-coding DNA regions in embryonic development and genetic diagnostics, particularly for cardiac arrhythmias.

AlveoliX, Vitrocell, University of Bern, and Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland published a study in Bioengineering & Translational Medicine on a stretchable human lung-on-chip model for alveolar inflammation, funded by Eurostars. The model mimics human lung function, enabling high-fidelity disease modeling and personalized drug testing, reducing animal testing. The collaboration led to Alexis Technologies, offering inhalation exposure systems with breathing Organs-on-Chip technology for various applications.

Daniel Buser, University of Bern Professor and Harvard visiting lecturer, received the Paul Goldhaber Award for his contributions to dental implant surgery. He highlighted advancements such as micro-rough implant surfaces, guided bone regeneration, and bone conditioning, which have improved success rates to 95% and 98%. Buser emphasized the importance of case selection, lifelong learning, and mentorship in the field.

At EURETINA, Martin S. Zinkernagel discussed AI in ophthalmology, emphasizing its transition from scientific to clinical practice. He highlighted the need for real-world evidence to validate AI's effectiveness and patient trust in its use. Zinkernagel encouraged applying EURETINA insights to daily practice.

Bladder cancer (BLCa) PDOs offer a personalized platform for studying cancer biology and therapeutic responses, potentially enhancing precision medicine. Their ability to model patient-specific responses holds promise for predicting clinical outcomes and guiding treatment decisions. Research on BLCa PDOs is advancing, though data remains scarce. Standardized protocols and ideal clinical applications are yet to be determined.