The MCID is a multidisciplinary strategic center at the University of Bern dedicated to the study and mitigation of healthcare, societal, ethical, and economic risks from infectious diseases. The MCID brings together high impact academic researchers with the aim of determining the origins of infectious disease risks, preparing for and managing these risks.
The launch of the MCID has been made possible through a generous donation by the Vinetum Foundation.
Sign up to receive the MCID newsletter to read quarterly news from the center.
27 November 2026
09:30 − 17:00
UniS, Schanzeneckstrasse 1
MCID Annual Event 2026
Join colleagues from across the University of Bern for a day of exciting research, interdisciplinary exchange and networking. Registration is open until Thursday 12th November, abstract deadline by 20th October.
30 October 2026
12:00 − 12:45
DIP Lecture Hall, Länggassstr. 122, Bern 3012
DIP Seminar: Prof. Felix Drexler
Hosted by Prof. Joerg Joris, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology.
9 November 2026
11:00 − 12:00
Online
CoRE-GHA Webinar: Prof. Dr Alexandre Reymond
10 November 2026
14:00 − 15:00
online
VPHI Webinar: Dr Elsa Léger
MCID Postcards
How do we prepare for emerging animal diseases and the threats they pose? At the EPIZONE 2026 Annual Meeting in Ittigen, experts came together to share the latest research, exchange knowledge and discuss challenges in animal health. MCID members joined the discussions, with topics ranging from Shamonda virus to diagnostics, surveillance and crisis preparedness. Read our latest MCID Postcard for highlights from the meeting
MCID-funded Research
The MCID wishes to congratulate Mert on successfully defending his PhD “Divided pandemic society: how the polarization of opinions affects health outcomes in the context of pandemics and pandemic preparedness”.
The MCID wishes to congratulate Melanie on successfully defending her PhD “Interplay between the Malaria Parasite and the Gut Microbiota”.
The SPREAD
In the latest issue of The SPREAD, we explore topics ranging from using blood donations to detect infectious disease outbreaks to investigating leishmaniasis in Switzerland and Guinea, and exploring new therapeutic opportunities for Chagas disease. In "Coffee with the MCID", meet Ioannis Magouras and his team and discover how veterinary medicine, climate science and data are coming together to understand disease in the real world.
MCID: Hot off the Press
MCID-funded PhD students Simone Leoni and Isabel Schultz-Pernice identified bemnifosbuvir and remdesivir as promising antiviral candidates against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Their preclinical findings represent an important step towards the first antiviral treatment for this potentially serious disease.
How does political and affective polarisation influence COVID-19 health behaviours and outcomes, and what role does political beliefs play in shaping trust in authorities, vaccination uptake, and mask-wearing? This newly published research elaborates on this question.
We'd like to highlight a recently published article from the EPL describing work done within the context of a MCID-funded project. This paper published in Policy Studies Journal looked at the political role that scientists played during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their narratives, strategies, and media engagement can shape evidence-based policymaking.
The ‘Bern, get ready’ (BEready) study aims to establish a prospective ‘pandemic preparedness cohort’ in canton Bern. In preparation for the main data collection, the BEready team have published a pilot study where they evaluate remote data collection methods and sample collection without face-to-face contact, the feasibility of follow up, and the continuity of participation engagement. Findings from this pilot have facilitated refinements to the study design and procedures for the ongoing main cohort study, which aims to recruit 1,500+ households.
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