Beyond the Genome; training the next generation of ophthalmic researchers.

The EyeTN Initial Training Network (ITN) aims to train a new generation of ophthalmic researchers
specializing in retinal degeneration. It combines the expertise of seven universities and seven
private sector partners. The prime deliverable will be 11 highly trained fellows with unique skills for
academic or private sector careers within the European job market.

Objectives

The overarching goal of EyeTN is the creation of a trans-national and intersectorial European
Training network specifically focusing on retinal degeneration. The academic partners of EyeTN
are the founders and members of the European Retinal Disease Consortium (ERDC) and have a
long-standing and ongoing collaboration, sharing patient resources and disease gene mapping
information. In this project we aim to move beyond the traditional Mendelian gene identification
studies and tackle a new set of research questions. We intend to do this by utilizing state-of-the-art
technologies and by combining each of the key skills from our partners. The prime training
objective of EyeTN is to equip a new generation of workers with highly specialised skills in the
inter- and multidisciplinary field of retinal degeneration research.