Welcome to the History Blog featuring the connections between Switzerland and the Midwest. I am Joerg Oberschmied, Deputy Consul General in Chicago. My interest in history started at an early age and continues to this day. The views expressed are solely mine and I hope you enjoy these journeys through time.

Dr. André Bachmann is a tenured Full Professor of Pediatrics at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine and serves as Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. He is best known for his groundbreaking research of the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma and for the discovery of the Bachmann-Bupp syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Dr. Bachmann is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, and holds several patents.

Joerg Oberschmied: You grew up in Switzerland and studied at the University of Zurich. Tell us what made you become a scientist with focus on pediatrics and oncology. 

André Bachmann: I was fortunate to have parents with a “green thumb”. They were enthusiastic gardeners and encouraged me to observe nature at work. I decided early on that I wanted to become a scientist and study either medicine or biology. In 1994 I graduated with a (M.Sc.) degree in Microbiology and in 1998 with a (Ph.D.) degree in Biology. My doctoral thesis focused on the identification of nature-derived molecules from plants or bacteria that exhibit anticancer activities. Starting in 2001, I focused my efforts almost exclusively on researching a fatal pediatric cancer called neuroblastoma. We identified a potential drug (DFMO), already FDA approved for another disease, and we “repurposed” this drug in the clinic for the treatment of neuroblastoma. In December 2023, the FDA approved DFMO for neuroblastoma, which is a breakthrough in the field of study. 

JO: Aside from your parents, which person(s) had the greatest influence on your development in Switzerland?

AB: With regard to my professional development, I give credit to my early mentors at the University of Zurich; Prof. Philippe Matile and Prof. Alan Slusarenko, with whom I am still in contact 30 years later. We had a dynamic collaboration until he retired recently. Unfortunately, Prof. Matile passed away several years ago. They both provided excellent guidance while allowing me to explore my own ideas. This scientific freedom was key to becoming an independent investigator relatively early on in my science career, at the age of 33.

JO: What brought you to America and in particular to the Midwest?

AB: While working on my Ph.D. thesis I received a Swiss National Science Foundation grant to work at the University of Hawaii. Following graduation from the University of Zurich I returned to Hawaii and was offered an Assistant Professor position at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. In 2015, I was recruited to Michigan State University in a tenured professor position, whilst also serving as the Associate Chair for Research in the Medical School’s Department of Pediatrics and Human Development.

JO: What is the “Bachmann-Bupp Syndrome” and what are the implications for patients?

AB: About 5 years ago, I gave a guest lecture about our research on a human protein called ODC, a molecule I have studied since my doctoral thesis, in Zurich. It so happened that a medical geneticist listened to my presentation. He had an undiagnosed patient that appeared to have a rare genetic mutation in the gene that encodes for the ODC protein. The 3-year-old female patient presented with severe developmental delays, weak muscle tone, hearing problems, and no hair (alopecia). She was worldwide the first patient with this mutation. Later we found 11 more patients (and counting) with the same medical condition. This new genetic disorder was named after Dr. Caleb Bupp and me and is known as “Bachmann-Bupp syndrome” (BABS). Most importantly, we “repurposed” DFMO again for a new condition, and the 3 patients so far treated with this ultrarare genetic disease made remarkable developmental progress with significantly improved muscle tone and full hair regrowth, after only 6 months. Treating rare genetic diseases is difficult, but is possible as our example demonstrates, which gives hope to other parents with children that carry rare genetic disorders.

JO: What are the main differences between doing research in Europe and in the U.S.?

AB: While I spent most of my independent research career as a professor in the U.S., I know from my professor colleagues in Europe that there are both advantages and disadvantages on either side of the Atlantic. One advantage in the U.S. is the opportunity to become an independent investigator earlier on in an academic career, also because there are many more Professor positions available at reputable universities, compared to Switzerland. On the other hand, a disadvantage is that national funding for research is extremely competitive (on average, only 7-15% of all National Institutes of Health grants are funded). While universities typically provide a “startup package” at the beginning of employment, this one-time financial support towards the laboratory and staff expenses is relatively typically moderate compared to what I know from Switzerland. Aside from this initial support, every dollar must be fundraised by the professor through research grants or donations, and this is considered “soft money” – if the funding goes away, so does the staff. Notably, most research universities expect the professor to raise grant funds to also support his/her own salary up to a certain amount (typically 50%-100%). Some have 9-month appointments, others have 12-month appointments (as I do). It is similar to running a small business and the principal investigator (professor) is responsible for bringing in the money for his employees and research expenses.

JO: You are currently on a sabbatical, tell us about the research project you are working on.

AB: As a tenured university professor, one is eligible every 6 years for a 6-12-month sabbatical faculty leave. While I initially planned to spend my sabbatical at the University of Zurich, it did not work out as planned and I instead connected with a wonderful genetics clinic called DDC Center for Special Needs Children in the State of Ohio that serves a group of Amish and Mennonites, religious groups of Christians that are the descendants of Anabaptists with their early beginnings (1525) in Zurich. Because the Amish marry within their own circles only, some rare genetic disorders have unfortunately manifested in children and adults. During my sabbatical leave, I am studying these genetic conditions at the molecular level in Amish patients and search for novel treatment options.

JO: What do you see as the greatest global challenges in the medical field ahead?

AB: There are many but to name a few: New infectious diseases & pandemics, continuous increase of illegal drug abuse, anxiety, and depression (especially in teenagers and adolescence), increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, lack of clean drinking water, and lack of sufficient water for agricultural irrigation. In addition, the higher costs for general medication, specialized treatments, medical procedures, and health insurance.

JO:  What do you value most about Switzerland and what do you value most about the United States?

AB: I greatly value the top-rated Swiss educational system. People in Switzerland receive excellent general education in public schools, essentially for free. This holds true also for the very low tuition expenses at Swiss universities, compared to the U.S. I particularly value the dual-track apprenticeship system in Switzerland, allowing those who do not attend university to obtain an excellent secondary education. Not everybody needs to be an academic. We need a strong and qualified labor force to produce high quality services in all industry sectors. Lastly, I obviously value (and miss) the wonderful Swiss mountains, the traditional food starting with good bread, Bratwurst, a large variety of cheese, and Swiss wine, most of which in authentic quality is rather hard to find in the U.S. On the other hand, the U.S. are still the “land of opportunities” a country that is perhaps in many ways more forgiving. If a business fails, one gets up and tries again. In academia, there is more flexibility and support for innovation, patents, and forming companies. In our daily life, I truly appreciate the excellent customer service across most industries. Whether I call a phone company to inquire about a bill, an airline to make a reservation, or check-in at a hotel front desk, the associates are most welcoming, and helpful and all this pretty much around the clock. Customer friendly return policies at stores make returning items fast and easy. Purchasing a car can be done in an afternoon. I also appreciate home ownership and the fact that the middle class in the U.S. can still afford a home (typically a house and if not a house, at least a condominium).

JO: What advice would you give a young person starting out today and wishing to study medicine?

AB: If I started over again, I would try to enroll in a M.D.- Ph.D. dual degree program. While I was reasonably successful with “only” a Ph.D. degree in the field of biology/medicine, it is a very competitive road and only few will end up in a top post in academia. With a M.D.-Ph.D. combination degree, one always has the alternative to focus on clinical work if research funding is hard to come by. Also, M.D. degree holders typically earn higher salaries, even if they do not see patients and work in the laboratory. However, in my opinion most important is the common phrase to “follow your heart and passion”. It still holds true today; if one has the inner drive, enthusiasm, and inspiration to succeed and considers the cup “half full” and not “half empty”, then eventually success and blessings will follow.

JO: André Bachmann, thank you for taking the time to share these stories with our readers.

You can find more information about Professor Bachmann on his website.

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