Welcome Note from Prof. Urs Fischer
Research in Neurology - I have a dream!
Dear Researchers at the Neurocenter Bern,
It is my greatest pleasure to write the introduction of this very first research newsletter after my return to Bern. The Neurocenter Bern has a worldwide reputation of excellence in clinical, translational and basic research in neuroscience, and it is therefore a tremendous privilege to be part of this amazing team.
I am very pleased to welcome two principal investigators at the department of neurology. Prof. Bogdan Draganski is the new Extraordinarius for dementia and neurodegenerative disorders and his research focus is the prevention and early diagnosis by using non-invasive neuroimaging methods. Prof. Simon Jung is the new chair of the neurorehabilitation with a strong research focus in vascular diseases. He aims to introduce novel treatment approaches in rehabilitation, including robotics and machine-human interfaces. I am looking forward collaborating with these innovative colleagues.
Combining basic, translational and clinical science under one single roof is one of the main strengths of the research groups at the Neurocenter Bern. In order to foster creativity, innovation and new concepts to prevent and cure diseases of the nervous system, we must further improve the collaboration between the different research groups. The proximity of the research groups is key to exchange new ideas, and I am therefore very pleased, that many clinical and translational research groups not only from neurology, but also from neurosurgery and neuroradiology have moved to the level B of the old “Bettenhochhaus”. I am dreaming that working next door to open-minded researchers from other disciplines will multiply new approaches to understand and treat neurological diseases. It is of utmost importance to further strengthen the connections with the research groups of the ZEN, which will move to the new facilities in the Murtenstrasse 50 in 2025. Regular informal meetings will be launched in mid-August to improve the exchange of ideas among all the different research groups at the Neurocenter Bern.
My dream is to further foster the collaboration between the different groups in order to stimulate innovation and excellence in clinical, translational and basic science at the Neurocenter Bern. May this dream come true!
