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) and the Franco-German University (FGU) to train the next generation of vision researchers. Beginning in January 2026, the DFG will fund this doctoral program for an initial period of 60 months, with a budget of over five million euros.
 

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 Prof. Dr. 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. 
Notable examples include:
• EVI-GENORET (Functional Genomics of the Retina in Health and Disease)
Launched in 2005 under the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), this large-scale project aimed to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in retinal development and function. The consortium, coordinated scientifically by Prof. José-Alain Sahel (Paris) brought together 25 partners. Prof. Eberhart Zrenner (Tübingen) led the phenotyping workstream. The project delivered key insights into retinal pathophysiology and opened new avenues for therapy, while also emphasizing training, public engagement, and collaboration with patient organizations.
• TREATRUSH (TreatRetUsher)
This FP7 project (2010) targeted Usher syndrome, a major cause of inherited deaf-blindness. Coordinated by Prof. Christine Petit (Institut Pasteur) and Prof. José-Alain Sahel (IDV), with key contributions from Dr. Serge Picaud (IDV), Prof. Bernd Wissinger (IOR) and Prof. Zrenner (IOR), the project focused on diagnostics, gene therapy innovations, and advancing translational pipelines.
• RdCVF (Rod-derived Cone Viability Factor)
Initiated in 2010 under Prof. Sahel’s leadership, this tri-national project explored the RdCVF protein’s protective effect on cone photoreceptors. Tübingen played a critical role, contributing to the development of what is now an investigational therapy in clinical trials since 2024.
• EuroVisionNet (FP7)
This initiative addressed the fragmentation of European vision research, promoted policy integration, and strengthened career development and public-private partnerships. IDV and IOR played central roles in enhancing the visibility and impact of vision science across Europe.

Broad Expertise from Tübingen and Paris

The “Limits2Vision” program is also supported by the Franco-German University (FGU), a joint initiative between Germany and France that promotes exchange and cooperation between higher education institutions in both countries.
A total of 17 researchers from Tübingen are contributing to the program: twelve from Institute for Ophthalmic Research (IOR), two from the Werner Siemens Imaging Center, and one each from the Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, the University’s Department of Physiology, the pathology department at the University Hospital and University of Chicago. From Paris, eleven research groups from the prestigious Institut de la Vision (IDV) are involved.

With a strongly interdisciplinary approach – ranging from neurobiology, physiology, and pathology to genetics, metabolism, computational neuroscience, and artificial intelligence – the program offers an excellent education within a structured, binational framework.

International Networking for the Future of Eye Research

In addition to collaborative research projects, the program facilitates exchanges of PhD students and researchers, and the organization of joint academic events.
Dr. 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, supported by both DFG and FGU, are setting a strong signal for the future of eye research. “Limits2Vision” is emerging as a exemplary and unique doctoral program in Europe, fostering scientific exchange and shaping the future of translational vision science.