News - limits2vision

The limits2vision consortium begins the year with an initial strategic meeting hosted at the Institut de la Vision in Paris. During this two-day gathering in February, the Principal Investigators (PIs) defined the framework for the first round of secondments and planned the upcoming hands-on courses, thematic workshops, and the biannual network meetings that will mark the project’s scientific and training activities.

The 1st Network Meeting of the complete consortium with all PhD students will take place in April in Tübingen. This event will mark an important milestone for the young researchers, who will meet their respective French or German fellows for the first time, present the outlines of their individual research projects, and engage in the first series of workshops and training courses. Beyond the scientific program, this meeting will also foster early collaboration, strengthen the sense of belonging to the consortium, and lay the groundwork for future interdisciplinary exchanges.

Together, these initial meetings want to set the tone for the collaborative spirit, scientific ambition, and training excellence that define the limits2vision consortium.

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”.

The limits2vision Consortium Launches Its First Year with a Kick‑Off Meeting in Paris

Tübingen and Paris Join Forces for the Future of Eye Research