New endowed professorship strengthens digital cancer medicine

The treatment of cancer patients generates an enormous amount of data, including high-resolution medical imaging data (e.g. CT scans), detailed pathological findings, extensive laboratory results and a wide range of clinical information from the course of treatment, such as information on medication intake or side effects. All of this data, which is not generated in the laboratory or as part of a clinical study but is generated in the everyday lives of cancer patients, is referred to as "real-world data". To fully exploit this wealth of data and the potential of digital medicine - especially data science and artificial intelligence - this data, which comes from a wide variety of sources and is often very heterogeneous, must be converted into standardized, compatible formats.

"The new endowed professorship for Clinical Cancer Informatics is dedicated to the task of systematically integrating this wealth of data, managing it efficiently and storing it securely and in compliance with data protection regulations," says Claudio Bassetti, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bern and Director of Teaching and Research at the Insel Gruppe. A particular focus is on ensuring interoperability, which enables the efficient exchange and utilization of this data by various systems, institutions and research partners. "This creates important foundations for innovative research projects and the development of new digital tools in oncology," Bassetti continues.

Platform for innovation

"The professorship for Clinical Cancer Informatics will sustainably strengthen cancer medicine at the Insel Group and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bern," explains Daniel M. Aebersold, Director and Chief Physician of Radiation Oncology at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Chairman of the University Comprehensive Cancer Center Inselspital UCI. The professorship has a deliberately interdisciplinary focus and is in line with the Faculty of Medicine's digitalization strategy. The endowed professorship promotes close collaboration between the University Departments of Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, which deal with the medical treatment of cancer on the one hand and radiotherapy treatment on the other. Furthermore, collaboration with external partners and initiatives from research, industry and healthcare will be strengthened. "The professorship offers a platform for innovation and supports the development of decision-making aids in everyday clinical practice as well as the further development of precision oncology, i.e. a therapy tailored to the tumor and the person being treated," continues Aebersold. The pooling of expertise and resources creates a dynamic environment that provides new impetus for cancer research and treatment.

Promoting interdisciplinary research

The new endowed professorship for Clinical Cancer Informatics will be established as an assistant professorship and supported over a period of six years. The Berger-Janser Foundation will provide an annual grant of CHF 350,000. "Digital medicine has developed enormously in recent years. We want to drive forward clinical research in cancer informatics in a targeted manner and exploit the potential of these new technologies," explains Georges Bindschedler, Chairman of the Berger-Janser Foundation's Board of Trustees. He adds: "The professorship increases the visibility and attractiveness of cancer research at a local, national and international level. It provides valuable impetus for clinical services and contributes to improving the quality of care in Bern." Heinz Karrer, President of the UniBE Foundation, concludes: "Funding this professorship will make it possible to further strengthen the attractiveness of the University of Bern for excellent researchers and to realize innovative research projects that will have an impact far beyond Bern as a medical location."

The endowed professorship will be advertised both nationally and internationally in order to attract the best talent from Switzerland and abroad. The professorship is planned to be filled in spring 2027.

Further information on the Digital Medicine Strategy of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern: https://www.medizin.unibe.ch/strategy/digital_medicine/index_eng.html