Obesogenic microbiota Project

Obesogenic microbiota Project

by | Jan 24, 2025

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Obesogenic microbiota Project

Exploring the connection: obesity, gut microbiome, and metabolic health

Cause and effect relationship between obesity and gut microbiome

Global rises in metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes pose severe medical and socio-economic threats, influenced by a variety of both genetic and environmental factors. Chronic inflammation links these diseases, suggesting an impact on the immune system. The human intestinal flora, especially the metabolic products it produces, appear to play a role in the development of obesity and diabetes.

To understand the underlying mechanisms, our project utilizes innovative methods (gnotobiotics, metagenomics and metabolomics) to explore the relationship between gut flora, metabolism and immune function. By unraveling these relationships, we aim to lay the foundation for innovative strategies to prevent and treat these diseases.

Project team: Melanie Scalise, June Stone
Funding: SNSF

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DCB Research AG

Freiburgstrasse 3
3010 Bern
Switzerland

info@dcberne.com

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Bacterial metabolites modulating Immune Function

Bacterial metabolites modulating Immune Function

by | Dec 19, 2024

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Bacterial metabolites modulating Immune Function

Exploring microbial metabolites and immune activation

Unveiling the role of bacterial metabolites in dendritic cell function

The human gut microbiota, a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in health and disease. Emerging research reveals a fascinating interplay between the gut microbiota, the immune system, and metabolism. The gut microbiome engages in a constant dialogue with immune cells, educating and regulating them, which in turn maintains gut health and guards against pathogens. This project aims to unravel the hidden mechanisms underlying the interactions between bacterial metabolites in the microenvironment and the activation of immune cells, by in particularly focusing on the impact of bacterial metabolites on dendritic cell metabolism and biological function. Preliminary data showed that bacterial metabolites are highly produced by bacteria expanding logarithmically and it can be sensed by DCs, fueling their activation. A lot of questions have still to be answered…

Project team: Andrea Celoria
Funding: SNSF

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DCB Research AG

Freiburgstrasse 3
3010 Bern
Switzerland

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Wound Infection Project

Wound Infection Project

by | Dec 19, 2024

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Wound Infection Project

Understanding immune dysregulation in obesity and diabetes

Obesity and diabetes, which are both rapidly increasing in prevalence world-wide, are considered multifactorial in their pathogenesis, including genetic and environmental factors. Amongst the latter, the gut microbiota and bacteria-derived metabolites have been described to contribute to disease development. Obesity and diabetes are both characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammatory state (“metaflammation”). However, despite the chronic immune activation, obese and diabetic patients are considered immunosuppressed leading to an increased risk for and inferior outcome during infections. This results in increased morbidity and mortality. 

The mechanisms leading to immune dysfunction and increased infections in obesity and diabetes are unclear and the main focus of this project. 

Projekt team: Marzia Burgunder, Yousef Maali, Andrea Celoria, Melanie Scalise
Funding: Helmut Horton Foundation

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DCB Research AG

Freiburgstrasse 3
3010 Bern
Switzerland

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Qarbs: Accurate results for estimating carbohydrates

Qarbs: Accurate results for estimating carbohydrates

by | Jul 18, 2023

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Qarbs: Accurate results for estimating carbohydrates

Estimating carbohydrates as supreme discipline for people living with diabetes is still depending on gut feelings and experiences. For self-prepared foods it’s most of the time a cakewalk but it becomes more complicated for unknown food items or at friend’s places. The same amount of pasta looks completely different on a small plate than on a bigger plate. To eliminate this source of error our target is offering a reliable digital solution that provides accurate results for an enhanced insulin dosage.

Several neural networks have been developed, trained and tested to be able providing an app that fulfills the needs of its users. Based on a set of pictures taken from the meal in front of you, a 3D model is developed and with this the app defines the volume of a single food item. A curated food database allows the app to define the amount of carbohydrate contented in the food item.

Realizing such a valuable app needs specialists from different areas such as nutrition, computer vision, design, software engineering and regulatory who work closely together. The dedicated team is keen on providing to people living with diabetes a certified medical device that does the carbohydrate counting for them.

Project team: Myriam Tinner (Product Manager, DCB), Melanie Stoll (Nutrition Specialist, DCB), Egemen Vardar&Tobias Maurer (Projektleiter, comerge AG), Andreas Pedroni (Quality Manager, comerge AG), Manuela Miksa&Rafal Wòjcik (UI/UX Designer, comerge AG)

Funding: DCB

App interface for meal scanning

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DCB Research AG

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3010 Bern
Switzerland

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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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