The Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH) in Basel is the work of the University of Basel and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). The University Children’s Hospital Basel and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel are also part of the BRCCH network, according to a statement.
The new research centre is being funded by a 100-million Swiss franc contribution from Fondation Botnar in Basel. It “brings together top scientists and clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines” and combines the expertise of both universities in “systems biology, medicine and various areas of life sciences, engineering, social sciences and information technology that are relevant to health”.
“We want to have an impact on the lives of children and adolescents,” commented Andrea Schenker-Wicki, President of the University of Basel, in the statement.
By following a transdisciplinary approach to research, the BRCCH aims to develop new approaches and digital solutions for pediatrics, with an initial focus on countries with limited resources. There is the potential to implement the solutions worldwide.
The BRCCH will focus on four main areas of research: diabetes, infectious diseases/immunology, cardiorespiratory diseases and the restoration of bodily functions through regenerative surgery, according to the statement.
Scheduled to begin operational activities at the start of 2019, the research centre is being funded by a 100-million Swiss franc contribution from Fondation Botnar spread over a 10-year period.
“Children and adolescents are a key part of our society,” said Peter Lenz, President of the Board of Fondation Botnar. “We want to give them tools to shape their lives successfully and to actively contribute to positive development. The BRCCH will provide many new solutions to help achieve this.”