The Moonwalk Project

The Moonwalk Project

by | Dec 2, 2024

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The Moonwalk Project

Investigating the relationship between glucose values and motion patterns during sleep

Glucose Levels and Sleep Patterns

People with diabetes need to carefully control their blood sugar levels to avoid short and long-term health complications. This can be done using insulin injections, but it also increases the risk of low blood sugar, called hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia often occurs at night and can lead to serious problems such as falls and heart problems. It can also reduce quality of life and cause symptoms like shaking, abnormal breathing, and abnormal movements. Managing diabetes can be especially difficult for elderly people in long-term care due to other health conditions and changes in care providers. The Moonwalk project aims to investigate the possible association between glucose levels and motion patterns during sleep in people with diabetes. To achieve this, a QUMEA radar sensor is mounted on the ceiling to track motion during sleep, and wrist-worn smartwatches are used to collect data on physiological symptoms. Over the course of 10 days, data will be collected from 40 patients. After the end of the study, algorithms will be developed to build a warning system for nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

Project team: Prof. Lilian Witthauer, Prof. Markus Laimer, QUMEA AG

Funding: Diabetes Center Berne Foundation, Innosuisse Innovation Cheque, Von-Tobel Foundation

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DCB Research AG

Freiburgstrasse 3
3010 Bern
Switzerland

info@dcberne.com

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Volatile Organic Compounds in Breath

Volatile Organic Compounds in Breath

by | Dec 2, 2024

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Volatile Organic Compounds in Breath

Volatile organic compounds and breath analysis in people with diabetes

Breath analysis in individuals with diabetes

The main goal of this research area is to identify distinctive patterns of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)s in breath and their dependence on blood glucose values in individuals with diabetes. VOCs are emitted by the human body, among which breath is the most important carrier. The breath contains a diverse array of VOCs that offer valuable insights into the body’s metabolic activities, including the glucose metabolism.

Project team: Prof. Lilian Witthauer, Prof. Markus Laimer

Funding: Diabetes Center Berne, University of Bern

Publications:
Nicolier C, Künzler J, Lizoain A, et al. Detection of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes through breath volatile organic compound profiling using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024; 1-8. doi:10.1111/dom.15944

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Menstrual Cycle Study: Identifying changes in insulin sensitivity across the menstrual cycle in T1D

Menstrual Cycle Study: Identifying changes in insulin sensitivity across the menstrual cycle in T1D

by | Dec 13, 2023

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Menstrual Cycle Study: Identifying changes in insulin sensitivity across the menstrual cycle in T1D

DCB and Tidepool are entering a partnership to explore the relationship between diabetes and women’s health. The first initiative in this collaboration focuses on the menstrual cycle’s influence on insulin-dependent diabetes.

Menstrual Cycle Study

Recognising the challenges faced by women with insulin-dependent diabetes, research specifically investigating the menstrual cycle’s impact on diabetes management remains limited so far. This lack of focused study has hindered the development of tailored treatment strategies for women.

Diabetes Center Berne (DCB) and Tidepool aim to fill this critical research gap. The joint effort is focused on examining the interplay between the menstrual cycle and diabetes management, with the goal of enhancing care and improving quality of life.

With the goal of supporting the development of clinical guidance, tools, and products to reduce the burden of diabetes management throughout the menstrual cycle, Tidepool and DCB are joining forces to explore the relationship between menstrual cycles and insulin-dependent diabetes. While Tidepool facilitates access to the data of people living with type 1 diabetes who menstruate and provides their expertise in data collection for this initiative, DCB provides expertise in clinical research and research infrastructure.

Project team: Dr. Martina Rothenbühler (Project Leader Data Sciences, DCB), Stefanie Hossmann (Clinical Research Scientist, DCB), Maya Friedman (Founder of the Tidepool Period Project, Tidepool), Saira Khan-Gallo (Access & Equity Lead, Tidepool)

Project partner: Tidepool

 

About the Study Partners

DCB supports ideas and projects in the field of diabetes technology worldwide by providing expertise, access to clinical research facilities and its own laboratories, as well as financial resources. The goal is to bring them a big step closer to market entry in a collaborative partnership. The work of the DCB is non-profit –  the goals are new insights and innovations around diabetes management as well as a vibrant community. 

Tidepool is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was founded by people with diabetes, caregivers, and leading healthcare providers committed to helping all people with insulin-requiring diabetes safely achieve great outcomes through more accessible, actionable, and meaningful diabetes data.

Study requirements for U.S. residents

Contact

Menstrual Cycle Study Team

menstrual.cycle@dcberne.com

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The FibreGum study – Changing the course of obesity

The FibreGum study – Changing the course of obesity

by | Apr 3, 2023

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The FibreGum study – Changing the course of obesity

The goal of our study is to increase weight reduction in obese children and adolescents by stimulating the gut microbiome with a chewing-gum containing dietary fibres as an adjunct treatment to standard adiposity therapy.

Non-invasive and low-threshold treatments are needed to combat childhood obesity

Around one in six children in Switzerland is affected by overweight or obesity and the prevalence continues to rise. This increase in obesity and its associated comorbidities represents a huge socio-economic burden, as it leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Obesity is not only a chronic disease in itself, but also a major risk factor for the development of the world’s leading causes of poor health and early death; namely cardiovascular disease, various cancers, diabetes and osteoarthritis.

Preventing obesity in children and adolescents offers a unique opportunity to prevent the path to an unhealthy adult life. A low-threshold offer could be the key to success. For this reason, we have developed a chewing gum enriched with dietary fibre, the “FibreGum”, in cooperation with Delica AG. The aim of the FibreGum is to improve microbial diversity and promote beneficial metabolites while reducing snacking. To investigate the efficacy of this chewing gum, we are conducting a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial with a cohort of 105 obese children and adolescents. Obese children and adolescents (age 10-16 years, >97th percentile) who would like to participate in the FibreGum study are welcome to ask their family doctor for a referral to the Adipositassprechstunde at the Kinderklinik Bern (http://www.kinderklinik.insel.ch/de/unser-angebot/adipositas/). All participants in the FibreGum study must attend the Adipositassprechstunde.

Project team: Prof. Dr. Maria Luisa Balmer, Inselspital (University Hospital of Bern) and University of Bern (leading the project); Dr. Christoph Saner, Children’s hospital, Inselspital (University Hospital of Bern); Dr. Marco Janner, Children’s hospital, Inselspital (University Hospital of Bern); Prof. Dominik Meinel, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland; Dr. Alexandra Stähli, Zahnmedizinische Kliniken Bern (University of Bern); Valentina Huwiler, Inselspital (University Hospital of Bern) and University of Basel; Marie-Aline Gerard, Diabetes Center Berne

Projekt team: Valentina Huwiler, Janina Zünd, Andrys Aardema
Funding: vonTobel Foundation, Pierre Mercier Foundation, Dürmüller-Bol Foundation, DCB

Prof. Dr. Maria Luisa Balmer is the head of the project.

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