Range of services — Medical Research Centre

The Coordination Office for Research Funding and Communication supports the work of the Research Commission, manages internal research funds and operates the HOCH Health Ostschweiz research database.

We advise researchers on applying for third-party funding and the targeted communication of new scientific findings.

Through technology transfer, we promote the further development and implementation of research results in practice.

We manage the patent portfolio of HOCH Health Ostschweiz, examine researchers' ideas for patentability and support the first steps in the patenting process.

We also coordinate the negotiation of research and licence agreements with academic and commercial partners with Legal & Compliance.

Research Management forms the interface to internal departments as well as to external partners, institutions and authorities and thus contributes significantly to the successful implementation and further development of research.

We are the central point of contact for all operational, financial and infrastructural matters at the Medical Research Centre. Through cross-institutional coordination, we ensure that all processes are implemented efficiently, legally compliant and research-orientated.

A particular focus is on third-party funding management: we support researchers in the application, administration and processing of competitive funding projects (e.g. SNSF, EU, Innosuisse, foundations) and represent the organisation in dealings with national and international funding institutions.

We are also responsible for the operation of the research infrastructure, which includes its strategic and technical development. We are also responsible for compliance with biosafety standards and regulatory requirements.

We provide HOCH researchers with a state-of-the-art infrastructure for the realisation of demanding medical-biological research projects. Core Facilities (central units) operate established specialised technologies and continuously develop them further.

The range of services includes

• Flow cytometry and cell sorting

• Confocal laser scanning microscopy

• Genomics and bioinformatics

We also offer methodological advice and technical expertise for biomedical research issues.

The Medical Research Centre offers training places in Bachelor, Master, PhD and MD/PhD programmes, helping to train the next generation of medical research talent.

The Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is the central point of contact for clinical trials at HOCH Health Ostschweiz. With its wide range of services, it is available to researchers for the organisation and implementation of studies.

The Medical Research Centre organises research seminars and training courses to provide information about new research activities and results both within and outside the company. In addition, regular training and refresher courses on "Good Clinical Practice" are offered.

The key elements of a clinical research project are discussed and defined during the study advisory service. Together with the project leader, we define the scientific question, the study design, the regulatory requirements and the study procedure.

An initial consultation is free of charge for researchers at HOCH Health Ostschweiz.

Project management accompanies all phases of the clinical research project. This involves preparing the research budget, negotiating contracts with partners, drafting study documents and preparing and submitting applications to authorities such as the Eastern Switzerland Ethics Committee and Swissmedic. Throughout the project, we coordinate and communicate with the participating centres, train the study teams, and monitor safety requirements. Finally, we coordinate the archiving process and prepare the final study report.

Monitoring is an essential part of quality control in clinical trials. This involves verifying that study data are recorded accurately, completely and traceably. Additionally, it ensures that the trial has been conducted in accordance with the protocol, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and applicable legal requirements.

An audit is conducted to determine whether the study was conducted in accordance with the approved protocol. The focus lies in determining whether the processes and documentation align with the established requirements and legal guidelines.

Particular attention is given to patient safety and rights, as well as the quality of the study data.

Study coordination and assistance support the planning, organisation and conduct of clinical studies.

Services include:

• assistance with the planning and budgeting of clinical trials

• Organisation and preparation of patient inclusion

• coordination of appointments for study visit

• Administration of study medication

• Collection and documentation of study data

• Nursing assistance within the scope of clinical trials

• Collection, preparation

The CTU has the suitable infrastructure to store samples at temperatures as low as -150°C under controlled conditions. A data recorder continuously monitors the temperature, and the logs are made available.

Sterile sample processing is also possible.

The CTU offers biostatistical support in the design of new studies and the evaluation of collected data. Researchers at HOCH Health Ostschweiz receive a free initial consultation for new projects.

Ideally, you should contact the biostatistics team during the conception phase.

Our services include:

• Defining hypotheses and endpoints

• Calculating sample sizes

• Interim analyses for ongoing studies

• Preparation and presentation of data

• Significance tests

• Description of statistical methods and results for publication

The data management team generates legally compliant databases for recording study-specific data. For this purpose, the SecuTrial and REDCap programmes are used. Both are mobile-compatible and well-suited for creating study registries. We also offer support in developing a data management plan.

The CTU regularly organises GCP courses and GCP refresher courses.

Vergabe

• 3 x jährlich durch die Forschungskommission

Maximalbetrag

• keinen

Förderdauer:

• ein- bis mehrjährig

Ziele:

• Interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit

• Einwerbung von kompetitiven Drittmitteln

• Publikationen

Vergabe:

• 3 x jährlich durch die Forschungskommission

Maximalbetrag:

• CHF 50'000.–

Förderdauer:

• ein- bis mehrjährig

Ziele:

• Forschungszusammenarbeit zwischen Empa und HOCH

• Einwerbung von kompetitiven Drittmitteln

• Publikationen

Vergabe:

• 3 x jährlich durch die Forschungskommission

Maximalbetrag:

• CHF 70'000.–

Förderdauer:

• einjährig

Ziele:

• Doktorat

• Publikationen

Maximalbetrag:

• 50% Nachwuchsgruppenleiterin / Nachwuchsgruppenleiter Lohn + CHF 100'000 Projektmittel pro Jahr

Förderungsdauer:

• 2 Jahre (optional ein Jahr verlängerbar)

Ziele:

• Aufbau einer Forschungsgruppe

• Einwerbung von kompetitiven Drittmitteln

• Publikationen

Die Forschungskommission ist Taktgeber der Forschungsförderung innerhalb von HOCH Health Ostschweiz und setzt sich aus gewählten Repräsentanten der klinischen und interdisziplinären Medizinischen Departemente sowie des Medizinischen Forschungszentrums zusammen. Darüber hinaus haben zwei bis drei beratende Mitglieder von externen Institutionen Einsitz in der Forschungskommission. Die nichtständigen Mitglieder aus den Reihen des ärztlichen Kaders werden durch die Konferenz der ärztlichen Führungskader gewählt. Der Präsident wird durch die Kommission vorgeschlagen und von der Geschäftsleitung gewählt. Die Amtsdauer der nichtständigen Mitglieder beträgt drei Jahre und eine Wiederwahl ist zweimal möglich.