News And Events

RC2NB Launches New Website and Welcome Video Showcasing Its Vision in Translational Neuroscience The Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB) is proud to announce the launch of its new website: www.RC2NB.ch a fresh, interactive platform that reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact in multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammatory disease research. Built with […]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more than a diagnosis; it’s a journey, and no two are the same. In this year’s RC2NB Annual Report, we’re honored to share real patient stories, highlighting the diverse experiences of people living with MS. Their voices remind us why personalized treatments and cutting-edge research matter. From clinical studies to care […]

RC2NB Annual Report 2024 – Driving Impact Through Innovation  We are pleased to present the RC2NB Annual Report 2024, highlighting a year of progress, strategic advancements, and meaningful impact in neuroimmunology and neuroscience. This year, we have enhanced the way we communicate our achievements and the value we create: ✔ Value Creation Infographic – A […]

Yesterday, the Clinical Research Day 2025 Departement Klinische Forschung, Universität Basel brought together researchers, clinicians, and experts at Universitätsspital Basel (USB) for a day filled with inspiring presentations, discussions, and exciting research. From engaging talk, to lively poster sessions, the event highlighted the incredible work in clinical research. Among the many brilliant presentations, we’re especially […]

This past Saturday, January 25, the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB) team participated in the MS State of the Art Symposium 2025, focused on "Lifestyle in Multiple Sclerosis: Sports, Nutrition, and Brain Health." It was wonderful to see Cristina Granziera, co-president of the Medico-Scientific Advisory Board of the Swiss MS Society, […]

The #Nature Reviews Neurology just published a game-changing article on AHSCT (Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) for MS and related disorders like NMOSD! This consensus, created in partnership with the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS ) and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, brings vital insights for clinicians […]

Have you heard about Federated Learning? It’s transforming MS care - right from Basel!  We’re excited to announce the latest publication from Clinnova. In this cross-border initiative, Dr. Bram Stieltjes and his team lead the Data Architecture, with Prof. Cristina Granziera spearheading Clinnova’s overall efforts in Switzerland. Clinnova, uniting France, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, is pushing the boundaries of […]

On October 29, 2024, we hosted the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting at Biozentrum, University of Basel. It was a moment to reflect on a year of progress, research, and collective effort in advancing multiple sclerosis (MS) research. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated speakers and the entire team who showcased their work through engaging presentations. The feedback from […]

Hot off the press! We are thrilled to announce the publication of our article, "Advanced MRI Measures of Myelin and Axon Volume Identify Repair in Multiple Sclerosis," in the @Annals of Neurology. This study utilizes advanced MRI  techniques to examine the repair and damage processes in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. The research involved the analysis of 128 […]

A post-hoc analysis of data from 13 clinical trials, including 6155 patients treated with OCR, revealed key insights on infection risks in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Over a median treatment period of 3.7 years, 6.8% of patients experienced serious infections (SIs), with the most common being respiratory, urinary, abdominal, gastrointestinal, and skin infections. Most […]

Our Team is Growing!!! We’re excited to announce the newest additions to the RC2NB team, bringing fresh perspectives and specialized expertise to fuel our cutting-edge research! Join us in welcoming: Tanja Stoll, Study Nurse Tanja completed her Master’s degree in Molecular Nutritional Science in April 2024, specializing in clinical research. During her research internship in the […]

We successfully concluded ECTRIMS2024! The wide range of presentations and poster sessions from the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB) highlighted the exciting advancements in MS research. These included cutting-edge imaging techniques and the latest developments in machine learning and deep learning applications. Innovative approaches to understanding MS progression, lesion classification, and […]

Exciting week ahead as the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), ThINK, and Indivi teams head to ECTRIMS in Copenhagen, 18-20 September 2024. We are proud to have a strong presence at this year’s event with +30 talks and poster presentations showcasing cutting-edge research and innovation in multiplesclerosis research. Be sure to attend the spotlight sessions by our very own key speakersCristina Granziera and Ludwig Kappos, who will […]

RC2NB is incredibly proud to announce that Elisabetta Giacomelli has been awarded the Best Master’s Thesis 2024 during the Department of Biomedical Engineering Research Day! Elisabetta’s thesis, titled “Identification of 9.4T MRI Sequences for Enhanced Cellular Visualization of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions,” has been recognized for its innovative research. Elisabetta’s work focuses on the potential of ultra-high-field MRI (9.4T) to improve the visualization […]

At RC2NB, our mission is to push the boundaries of science and healthcare through cutting-edge research and innovation. As part of University Hospital Basel (USB), we know that our greatest achievements come from the synergy of diverse talents and perspectives working together. Diversity in our team isn’t just a value, it’s the driving force behind […]

RC2NB is pleased to share significant progress in the MultiSCRIPT Trial. Despite the summer break, our recruitment efforts have remained strong, and we have successfully enrolled 373 participants, an impressive 40% of our target sample size. We are also delighted to welcome two centers that recently joined the MultiSCRIPT initiative: Inselspital and Zurich University Hospital. Their involvement […]

New Study Announcement: Face Masks for Respiratory Symptoms A new study published in BMJ (July 2024), co-designed by Prof. Lars Hemkens from RC2NB, assessed if wearing surgical face masks in public spaces reduces self-reported respiratory symptoms. The decentralized pragmatic randomized trial, conducted entirely online and remotely in Norway, included 4,647 adults and leveraged routinely collected “real world” […]

We are excited to share some fantastic progress in our MultiSCRIPT recruitment efforts! As we reach the sixth month of our recruitment phase, we are pleased to announce that the team in Lugano has successfully recruited their first patient to the MultiSCRIPT study. This marks a significant milestone, and we extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks […]

On May 30, 2024, to mark World Multiple Sclerosis Day, Prof. Cristina Granziera was the focus of an insightful interview on radio SFR1. During this comprehensive discussion, Prof. Granziera was invited as a leading expert in the field, and shared valuable information about the complexities of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), shedding light on its multifaceted nature. […]

The University Council of the University of Basel has approved the appointment of Prof. Dr. Lars G. Hemkens to a titular professorship at the Faculty of Medicine for Clinical Epidemiology. Lars G. Hemkens, MD, MPH, is a Senior Scientist at the Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, and leads Pragmatic Trials and Real World Evidence at […]

We are excited to share that our recent research on imaging biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been published in Nature Scientific Reports. This collaborative project, led by Muhamed Barakovic and Cristina Granziera, investigates the potential of diffusion MRI and a new model called "soma and neurite density imaging (SANDI)" to non-invasively analyze cellularity in the cortex of […]

We are excited to announce the publication of an important methods guidance paper in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) titled "Guidance on Terminology, Application, and Reporting of Citation Searching: the TARCiS Statement." Systematic literature searches form the basis of evidence-based healthcare by rigorously identifying relevant studies. While traditional term-based searching in electronic databases is well-established, […]

Distribution of p values (116 QoL results from 30 trials). Note: The 116 QoL results come from 89 quantitative results and 27 reported as p values alone. We are thrilled to unveil our latest review, delving deep into the evidence surrounding the impact of Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs) on the quality of life for individuals battling […]

RC2NB is excited to share the latest media coverage of one of our innovative international projects - Clinnova. This project focuses on revolutionizing autoimmune disease treatment through personalized medicine while ensuring data quality and protection using federated learning - a decentralized approach to AI training. Clinnova consortium establishes Basel as the center of excellence for […]

Neurofilament release after axonal damage and detection of cleavage products in the blood. The latest publication from the RC2NB team published in Nature Reviews Neurology. Neurofilament proteins have emerged as valid biomarkers of neuronal injury and loss. Based on our previous review from 2018 that summarized what was known at the time about neurofilaments as biomarkers for […]

Definitions of digital biomarkers: a systematic mapping of the biomedical literature In the newest study published in BMJ Health Care & Informatics, the Pragmatic Evidence team delved into the realm of digital biomarkers, aiming to uncover the essence of this evolving concept. All studies that prominently use the term "digital biomarker" were assessed. However, most of them […]

MultiSCRIPT  has recently achieved a major milestone with 1st patient enrolled on February 5th, 2024 in Basel. Since then, over 150 participants have been enrolled and randomized in less than 3 months (anticipated recruitment is 915 participants over a 2-year period). This is a testament that keeping things simple and fully embedded in the patient’s care contributes to a smooth […]

Anti-CD20 treatment does not affect TLT formation in the brains of SJL/J adoptive transfer EAE mice. Researchers from the University of Basel and the University of Toronto, Mainz have identified a potential new mechanism by which B cell therapy may protect the brain in MS patients. This study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests B cell […]

Exciting news about the latest research article, "Complement activation is associated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis," published in Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation authored by our esteemed team of researchers Johanna Oechtering, Sabine Schädelin, Jan Lünnemann and Jens Kuhle. This study shows that the activation of the complement system, a component of the innate immune system, […]

Last week, the Department of Clinical Research organized a Clinical Research Day to showcase the latest achievements in clinical research. The event aimed to highlight the work of the department's talented researchers, including some of our very own RC2NB team comprising Perrine Janiaud, Jens Kuhle, Lars Hemkens and Özgür Yaldizli. One of the standout talks […]

A significant advancement in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment! The research led by Patrick Vermersch, Cristina Granziera and Gavin Giovannoni surrounding the CD40–CD40L costimulatory pathway has paved the way for a potential game-changer - Frexalimab, a second-generation anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody. The CD40–CD40L pathway plays a crucial role in regulating both adaptive and innate immune responses […]

RC2NB is starting 2024 strong with the publication of a new scientific article that sheds light on the world of pragmatic trials and their crucial role in providing real-world evidence for treatment decisions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study led by Julian Hirt, Perrine Janiaud, Özgür Yaldizli, Ludwig Kappos, Cristina Granziera and Lars Hemkens aimed to […]

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters, As 2023 comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Holiday Season. Our objective is to advance neuroscience and enhance the quality of life for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and other neuroimmune diseases. We are proud […]

Professors Tobias Derfuss, Christian Münz, and Burkhard Becher have received the Swiss National Foundation (SNF) Sinergia Grant for their research proposal on the role of B cells and EBV infection on Multiple Sclerosis. The interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Basel/University Hospital Basel and the Institute of Experimental Immunology Zurich, aim to investigate the mechanism by which Epstein Barr […]

This prestigious recognition is awarded to influential researchers worldwide who have demonstrated significant impact in their fields of research. The selection process for the Highly Cited Researchers list is rigorous, relying on data from the Web of Science citation index and analysis conducted by bibliometric experts and data scientists at the ISI at  Clarivate. Read the […]

We are extremely proud to share that  Professor Tobias Derfuss has been named an Honorary Member of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). This is a prestigious recognition that was officially announced during the ECTRIMS Congress in October 2023. Prof. Derfuss's outstanding contributions to the field of Multiple Sclerosis and […]

A recent study titled "Diagnostic Performance of Cortical Lesions and the Central Vein Sign in Multiple Sclerosis" has been published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology. The study, led by researchers Dr. Alessandro Cagol, Prof. Cristina Granziera, and Prof. Ludwig Kappos contributes to the field of neurology by providing clinicians […]

Research project of the University of Basel and the University of California San Francisco published in “JAMA Neurology”. Basel / San Francisco, 6th November 2023 Neuroscientists of the EPIC-Team (Expression, Proteomics, Imaging, Clinical) at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) led by Ahmed Abdelhak, MD, and of the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Cohort (SMSC) of […]

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common immunological disorder of the nervous system (> 1 in 1000). This disease has a strong female preponderance and is the most common cause of permanent disability in young adults. MS affects the central nervous system causing a variety of neurological symptoms escalating disability over time. Despite the […]

We are thrilled to announce the release of the latest research paper that delves into the potential of smartwatches as an effective tool for monitoring the health of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The paper, titled "Smartwatch-Derived Features for Assessing Health in Multiple Sclerosis Patients," has been published in the journal of Multiple Sclerosis and […]

We are excited to share the findings of a comprehensive study that sheds light on the safety and effectiveness of ocrelizumab in treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) over an extended period. This is the longest follow-up study of ocrelizumab-treated patients with RRMS, spanning from 2008 to 2020. The study confirmed the sustained efficacy of long-term […]

Multiple sclerosis is typically characterized by relapses, i.e. neurological dysfunctions occurring within days, followed by more or less complete recovery. It was assumed that in the time between the relapses, the disease is dormant and no deterioration occurs. Only later in the course, usually after 10-20 years, does the progressive phase follow in most affected […]

It has been known for several years that the diagnosis “multiple sclerosis” conceals a whole range of different illnesses, each requiring customized treatment. Researchers at the University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel have now described a possible new MS-like disease and explained how to diagnose it. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by […]

Our systematic scoping review and perspective "Wearable Sensor Technologies to Assess Motor Functions in People With Multiple Sclerosis" has just been published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. We have included 308 papers from 1997 to 2022 with different contexts: real-world, laboratory, and mixed. They assessed physical activity, gait, dexterity / tremor, and balance. Sensors […]

International research collaboration defines age-specific reference range for blood neurofilament light chain in pediatric health. Blood Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is an innovative biomarker that specifically indicates neuroaxonal injury. However, its clinical application has been constrained due to the lack of established reference ranges for children and adolescents. Accurate monitoring of neuroaxonal injury in neurologic […]

Published on 17 July 2023 on Medical Tribune. Article available in German only. 

— An international team of experts certainly thinks so. Their new findings indicate that serum glial fibrillary acidic protein can predict worsening independent of relapse activity in multiple sclerosis. A serum biomarker for disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be a game changer for research and, ultimately, for treatment of patients with the most […]

Congratulations to Dr Pascal Benkert, Head of SMSC datacenter, and Stephanie Meier, candPhD, both members of Prof Jens Kuhle’s research group at Neurology/RC2NB who have been honored with the Ellermann Prize 2022 by the Mogens und Wilhelm Ellermann-Stiftung. Their work published in Lancet Neurology demonstrated how concentrations of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) are a sensitive measure of disease activity in […]

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We are proud to publish our Annual Report 2022. 2022 has been another year of transformation and growth for RC2NB. Important milestones were achieved across all RC2NB’s research groups and a new 4th workstream “Pragmatic Trials and Real World Evidence” now complements the other three. Please find the link to the Report here. If you would like […]

Congratulations to Prof. Cristina Granziera, Workstream Leader and Deputy Head of RC2NB for receiving the highly prestigious Bing Research Prize 2022 awarded by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences.  The Prize was awarded in appreciation of her important contributions in the interface of clinical neurology, neuroradiology and medical physics. Applying highly innovative, advanced neuroimaging methods, allows her to better […]

Congratulations to Prof. Jens Kuhle and Prof. Tobias Derfuss, two RC2NB researches, who have been honored with an award by the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society. The recognition, endowed with 100,000 Swiss francs, goes to both of them for their exceptional contributions to MS research and their great commitment to those affected by the disease. Both work in neurology […]

With Ludwig Kappos and Jens Kuhle two RC2NB researchers have been named on the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers™ list 2022. The list identifies researchers based on the citation counts of their work in the last ten years, indicating the impact of their work. Clarivate™  states that “Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly […]

For the third time in a row, Jens Kuhle, Head of Multiple Sclerosis Centre at the University Hospital Basel and DKF/DBM research group leader, is awarded an SNF project grant for the development of biomarkers for the detection and prognosis of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) on a personalised level. Read more on the Department […]

More than 50 people with multiple sclerosis support the development of the novel dreaMS digital health app, by participating in a clinical validation study led by the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB). The dreaMS app provides so-called digital biomarkers, measurements of health status and disease progression collected in the usual everyday life in […]

We just published the results of the first reliability and acceptance assessment of the dreaMS software application in the Journal of Neurology. Woelfle T, Pless S, Reyes O, Wiencierz A, Feinstein A, Calabrese P, Gugleta K, Kappos L, Lorscheider J, Naegelin Y. Reliability and acceptance of dreaMS, a software application for people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility study. […]

The paper "High-dimensional immune profiling identifies a biomarker to monitor dimethyl fumarate response in multiple sclerosis" has published in PNAS.  Understanding the immunobiology of multiple sclerosis remains an unresolved challenge. Distinctive features of therapeutic response to effective treatments are one important source of insight into the underlying pathomechanisms. Here, we studied dimethyl fumarate, a routinely administered […]

Brain Atrophy is increased in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis with Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA) https://t.co/obW0ZZEvUp, @JAMANeuro, @JAMANetworkCollaborative work!! @RC2NB, @CagolAlessandr0, @JensKuhle, @ThINk_Basel, @DKFBasel , @DBE_Unibasel pic.twitter.com/z20noa6d7a — RC2NB (@RC2NB) May 16, 2022