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BIH at Charité


First genetic causes of Raynaud’s phenomenon discovered

Scientists identified two genes, ADRA2A and IRX1, that predispose individuals to Raynaud's phenomenon. The genes affect the body's ability to regulate blood vessel constriction, leading to white fingers and toes in response to cold or stress. The study provides new insights into the disease and potential treatment options, including th...

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

Low binding affinity improves vaccine efficacy

Researchers developed a novel vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by selecting antigen variants with low binding affinity, resulting in higher neutralizing antibody concentrations. This design strategy may also improve vaccine efficacy for other coronaviruses and herpes viruses.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2023

T cells require healthy “power plants”

The research discovered that T cells are especially sensitive to genetic disturbances in their mitochondrial power plants. Different types of T cells show varying degrees of tolerance to defects in the mitochondrial genome, with memory CD8+ T cells rarely affected.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 6, 2023

Intelligent brains take longer to solve difficult problems

Researchers found that higher intelligence scores are only associated with quicker performance on simple tasks, while more difficult problems require more time and lead to better results. The brain models also showed that slower brains make fewer errors due to reduced synchrony between brain areas.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2023

Early warning system for intensive care units

A team of researchers led by Professor Alexander Meyer has created an early warning system for intensive care units (ICUs) using big data and artificial intelligence. The system predicts postoperative bleeding and acute kidney injury with high accuracy, allowing timely interventions to save lives.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMar 22, 2021

'PopDel' detects deletions in our genomes

Researchers developed PopDel, a program that reliably identifies large deletions in thousands of genomes simultaneously. The software outperformed existing methods, detecting rare gene variants associated with healthy lipid metabolism.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 4, 2021

Tiny molecules with a big impact

Researchers discovered hundreds of previously unknown genetic variations affecting small molecule concentrations in the blood, which can impact diseases such as diabetes and eye disorders. The findings provide valuable biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and therapy.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 13, 2021

What cells does the novel coronavirus attack?

Scientists have discovered that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects progenitor cells in the lungs and bronchi, which are responsible for producing cilia that sweep mucus and bacteria out of the lungs. The virus acts in a highly selective manner, dependent on certain human cells to spread and replicate.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 7, 2020

What artificial intelligence can teach us about proteins

A new algorithm called DeeProtein uses sensitivity analysis to unravel the secret of its predictions, providing valuable insights into protein functions. This technique enables researchers to identify critical regions in proteins that tolerate changes well or poorly, paving the way for targeted modifications.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMay 15, 2019

Stressed mothers -- overweight children

A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that stressed mothers are more likely to have overweight children, with girls being particularly vulnerable. The research, which analyzed data from over 498 mother-child pairs, suggests that maternal stress during the first year of life can lead to long-term weight development issues ...

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJan 9, 2019

Typical woman or typical man?

The Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) recognizes Professors Louise Pilote and Rhonda Voskuhl for their pioneering work on sex and gender differences in cardiovascular diseases and multiple sclerosis. Their research focuses on incorporating gender aspects into medical practice.