University of Basel and ETH Zurich combine cutting-edge research for children and young people worldwide
The University of Basel and ETH Zurich today jointly established the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH) in Basel. In this center, they bring together outstanding science and clinical research from various disciplines to develop new methods and digital innovations for use in pediatrics worldwide. The BRCCH is funded by a CHF 100 million contribution from Fondation Botnar (Basel).
The Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH) is supported by the University of Basel and ETH Zurich. The research center's network also includes partner institutes such as the University Children's Hospital of Basel and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel.
The research center combines the competencies of the two universities in systems biology and medicine as well as in health-related fields of life sciences, engineering, social sciences and information technology. With its work, the research center aims to help prevent diseases, develop new treatment approaches, improve diagnoses and impact predictions, and promote financially viable solutions. The goal of BRCCH is to achieve concrete results: "We want to make an impact for children and young people," says Andrea Schenker-Wicki, Rector of the University of Basel.
Transdisciplinary research approach
In BRCCH, basic researchers, clinical researchers, and scientists in the fields of implementation research, health systems, health economics, pedagogy, ethics, and law work closely together. The focus is on countries with limited resources - but the solutions developed should be applicable everywhere. This approach enables sustainable research and development with a direct benefit for the health of children and adolescents.
In particular, BRCCH will focus on four key research areas within pediatrics: Diabetes, Infectious Diseases/Immunology, Cardiopulmonary Diseases, and Restoration of Body Function through Regenerative Surgery. Within the research priorities, various research areas have already been defined.
The focus is on approaches geared toward digital and mobile health solutions as well as cell-based therapies. "Our goal is to develop groundbreaking digital solutions for the health of children and adolescents," says Lino Guzzella, President of ETH Zurich.
Focal investment of Fondation Botnar
The BRCCH is financed by a contribution from Fondation Botnar in Basel of CHF 100 million, half to the University of Basel and half to the ETH Zurich Foundation. The grant is spread over ten years. Fondation Botnar is committed to improving the health and well-being of children and young people in rapidly growing cities worldwide.
It invests in solutions that use and promote digital innovations with a focus on artificial intelligence. "Children and young people are important pillars of society. We want to empower them to successfully shape their lives and actively contribute to positive development. BRCCH will contribute many new solutions to this end," says Peter Lenz, President of the Foundation Board of Fondation Botnar.
The commitment to BRCCH represents a priority investment for the foundation, which was established in 2003. During the introductory phase of newly developed solutions, Fondation Botnar makes its networks available to BRCCH in various cities, including Tanzania and Romania.
Basel location
The research center will start its operational activities in Basel at the beginning of 2019 and will be built up step by step. With its university, the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) of ETH Zurich and many highly innovative companies in the biotech and life sciences sectors, the city is the predestined location for BRCCH.
To Fondation Botnar:
Fondation Botnar is a Swiss foundation established in 2003 and based in Basel, Switzerland, carrying on the philanthropic legacy of the Botnar family. The foundation works to improve the health and well-being of children and youth in rapidly growing cities around the world. It does so by acting as a catalyst, leveraging partner networks, and investing in solutions that leverage and promote digital innovation, including artificial intelligence in particular. Fondation Botnar is a member of the SwissFoundations umbrella organization of Swiss funding foundations.
