Allgemein Archive - Page 2 of 3

Talk and Visit by Paul Roberts

15. May 2026

We are pleased to announce that Paul Roberts will be our next “Visiting Researcher” for the „limits2vision“ programme. During his visit to the Institute for Ophthalmic Research in Tübingen on Wednesday 3 June, Paul will give a talk entitled “Mathematical models of retinal degeneration and metabolism” at 9 a.m. in the HNO (ENT) Lecture Hall.

He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at City, University of London, where he leads the Mathematical and Computational Ophthalmology (MaCO) group. Mathematical Ophthalmology (a term coined by Dr Paul Roberts) concerns the use of mechanistic mathematical models to derive insight into the mechanisms underpinning the structure and function of the eye in health, development and disease and to predict the effects of existing and putative treatments. Computational Ophthalmology (an existing term) involves the application of advanced computational techniques, including artificial intelligence, to the big data being generated in ophthalmology, to identify pathology and predict disease progression. In both cases the ultimate aim is to derive genuine translational impact in healthcare, accelerating progress towards more effective treatments, personalised treatment strategies and clinical decision support systems. His pioneering models of retinal degeneration and photoreceptor dynamics, which combine mathematical analysis with experimental and clinical collaboration, have provided important insights into diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Paul is widely recognised for engaging with the mathematical biology community, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring early-career researchers.

For more information about Paul Roberts and his research, please visit his homepage: paulrobertsmathbiol.com and his videos with his guests https://www.youtube.com/@MathCompOphth/playlists

Thomas Euler and Philipp Berens Honored with RPB Transformational Team Science Award

4. May 2026

TÜBINGEN — Two researchers from limits2vision iRTG are part of an international team awarded the prestigious RPB Transformational Team Science Award, recognizing groundbreaking work at the intersection of neuroscience and vision research. The award, worth 950,000 US dollars, supports the project Eyewire II, an ambitious effort with global significance.

The Tübingen-based scientists, Prof. Dr. Thomas Euler of the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and the Institute of Ophthalmic Research, and Prof. Dr. Philipp Berens of the Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, are collaborating with two U.S. colleagues on the project. Their goal: to construct the first complete wiring diagram of the mouse retina, a so-called connectome.

By combining cutting-edge imaging technologies with artificial intelligence, the team aims to map neural connections at an unprecedented level of detail. The resulting datasets will be made openly available, offering researchers worldwide new opportunities to explore how visual information is processed in the brain.

Experts consider the project a potential milestone. Insights gained from the research could fundamentally reshape understanding of visual processing and, over time, contribute to the development of new treatments for eye diseases.

The award also underscores Tübingen’s growing prominence as a center for neuroscience and artificial intelligence research.

Further information about the award and the project is available from Research to Prevent Blindness.

Talk and Visit by Christian Damsgaard

30. April 2026

We are delighted to launch our “Visiting Researchers” program with Christian Damsgaard, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Zoophysiology at Aarhus University in Denmark.
On Tuesday 12 May at 2 p.m., Damsgaard will give a talk on “The anaerobic metabolic ecosystem of the bird eye” in the HNO Lecture Hall at the Institute for Ophthalmic Research in Tübingen. He will also be available for discussions and lab visits. Save the date!

Prof. Damsgaard is a comparative and evolutionary physiologist who investigates the mechanisms of gas exchange in vertebrates, particularly in relation to acid–base regulation and neural function. Using the retina as a model system, he combines cardiorespiratory and electrophysiological techniques with OMICs approaches to study how oxygen diffusion shapes metabolism and tissue function across spatial gradients. His work integrates phylogenetically informed, multi-species methods to reveal how respiratory systems and their physiological trade-offs have evolved over macroevolutionary timescales.

Prof. Damsgaard’s most recent publication is highly relevant to the questions addressed in the limits2vision programme: Damsgaard C, et al., Oxygen-free metabolism in the bird inner retina supported by the pecten. Nature, 650: 657–663, 2026. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09978-W. PMID: 41565811.

Few impressions from the First Network Meeting

29. April 2026

“Establishing a doctoral network sends a strong signal for building a long-term Franco-German partnership between two of Europe’s leading institutes in ophthalmology research” emphasized Dr. Marie-Léa Rousseau in reference to the limits2vision programme.

Dr. Rousseau, Science and Technology Attachée at the French Embassy in Germany, was invited to participate in the first limits2vision meeting in Tübingen. Her presence provided an opportunity for further reflection on the expansion and consolidation of a long-term cooperation.

This binational scientific event gained additional significance through its venue at the Institut Culturel Franco-Allemand in Tübingen, a setting that clearly underscores the programme’s Franco-German dimension. Dr. Thomas Vautravers, Director of the Institut Culturel Franco-Allemand, welcomed participants and highlighted the institute’s role as a hub for bilateral exchange.

Held on April 13–14, 2026, the meeting brought together leading scientists from Germany and France to explore key mechanisms of visual perception, discuss the PhD students’ research projects, and shape their training and supervision. The overarching aim is to identify synergies among participating research groups, initiate new joint projects, and foster sustainable international networking.

The partnerships established in recent years between Tübingen and Paris have already achieved remarkable success. The International Research Training Group “limits2vision” has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and recognized as particularly exemplary. The project is also supported by the Franco-German University (DFH), underscoring the scientific excellence and strategic relevance of this cross-border initiative. However, establishing a funding mechanism on the French side comparable to the DFG-iRTG would provide a far more robust foundation for sustained joint research initiatives and foster deeper cultural ties among early-career researchers from France and Germany than is currently possible.

First Network Meeting on 13–14 April 2026 in Tübingen

27. March 2026

The inaugural limits2vision Network Meeting will take place on 13–14 April 2026 in Tübingen. This event will bring together leading scientists from Tübingen and Paris, alongside the newly enrolled PhD students, to forward vision research and further strengthen Franco-German collaboration. The two-day meeting will be followed by several days of specialized training dedicated to the PhD students.

This consortium addresses the fundamental question of how the retina maintains high performance at the limits of its biological capacity. The scientific programme of the meeting will place particular emphasis on contributions from the early-career researchers, highlighting innovative approaches and emerging perspectives in the field.

Beyond the exchange of knowledge, the meeting aims to cultivate new synergies among participating research groups, stimulate collaborative projects, and reinforce long-term international partnerships.

The event will be hosted at the Institut Culturel Franco-Allemand (ICFA), a venue that reflects the strong Franco-German dimension of the initiative. Distinguished guests will include Dr. Rousseau, Research Attachée at the French Embassy in Berlin. Participants will also be welcomed by Dr. Vautravers, Director of the ICFA, who will highlight the institute’s role as a platform for dialogue and exchange supporting bilateral initiatives.

Download the Agenda of the meeting in the “Internal Area“