Tübingen and Paris Join Forces for the Future of Eye Research
Two leading European institutes for eye research – the Institute for Ophthalmic Research (IOR) at the University of Tübingen and the Institut de la Vision (IDV) of Sorbonne Université in Paris – are joining forces to launch an outstanding international research and training program.
Under the name “limits2vision”, they are initiating a graduate program supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Franco-German University (FGU), Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), and Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) “FOReSIGHT” to train the next generation of vision researchers – beginning in January 2026.
At the heart of this international PhD program is the retina – a highly complex neural tissue in the eye responsible for processing visual information and transmitting it to the brain. With over 100 distinct cell types and one of the highest energy demands in the human body, the retina is a fascinating biological system – powerful yet vulnerable. The goal of limits2vision is to decipher the mechanisms that enable the retina to maintain its delicate balance between intense energy consumption and visual processing. “We are faced with the paradox that the human retina can function robustly for around 100 years yet degenerates rapidly in the presence of certain genetic mutations” explains Thomas Euler (University of Tübingen), spokesperson for the program. “Advancing our understanding of this balance provides a critical foundation for developing new therapies for retinal disorders, the majority of which are still incurable”.
Strong and Long-standing Scientific Collaboration between Paris and Tübingen in Vision Research
A robust and enduring scientific partnership has developed over the past two decades between the researchers of the Institut de la Vision (IDV) in Paris and the Institute for Ophthalmic Research (IOR) in Tübingen, particularly in exploring the mechanisms underlying ocular diseases – including inherited and age-related retinal conditions – and in advancing translational research. This collaboration is marked by joint participation in European research consortia, academic symposia, training programs, researcher exchanges, and co-authored publications.
The researchers from IDV and IOR have played pivotal roles in major European Commission-funded research programs.
International Networking for the Future of Eye Research
In addition to collaborative research projects, the limits2vision program facilitates exchanges of PhD students and researchers, and the organization of joint academic events. Alexandra Rebsam (Sorbonne Université, Paris), spokesperson of the program on the French side, emphasizes: “The limits2vision program represents not only a structural but also a symbolic bridge between Germany and France. The support from the FGU further strengthens our shared vision for the future of European research.”
With this powerful partnership, the University of Tübingen and Sorbonne Université, are setting a strong signal for the future of eye research. limits2vision is emerging as an exemplary and unique doctoral program in Europe, fostering scientific exchange and shaping the future of translational vision science.
