From 8–12 June 2026, the international FEBS Advanced Lecture Course “Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences” will take place in Kuopio, Finland. This immersive five-day course brings together leading experts and early-career scientists working with retina ex-vivo models — a key platform for advancing research in ophthalmology, neuroscience, pharmacology, translational research, and gene therapy.

Tübingen Researchers participation

Researchers from the Institute for Ophthalmic Research at the University of Tübingen demonstrate the institute’s global engagement in retina science:

• Marius Ueffing, Director of the Institute for Ophthalmic Research (IOR) the University of Tübingen, is featured as one of the keynote speakers. His leadership in molecular retina research and translational approaches underscores Tübingen’s contributions to the field.
• Blanca Arango-Gonzalez, Senior Staff Scientist from IOR, is listed among the invited speakers, reflecting her active research in retinal biology.
• François Paquet-Durand Team leader from IOR Tübingen is also participating as a speaker, showcasing his expertise in retinal degeneration mechanisms and experimental model systems.
• Catherine Hottin and Ana Almansa García, both from IOR Tübingen, are contributing as part of the scientific program, highlighting the strong involvement of early-career researchers from the Institute.

This active representation reflects the Institute for Ophthalmic Research’s strategic focus on retina physiology and disease mechanisms, as well as its commitment to training the next generation of vision scientists.

What the Course Offers

The scientific program combines lectures, tutorials, and interactive demonstrations designed to equip participants with practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Topics include:

• Organotypic retina cultures: setup and maintenance
• Applications of ex-vivo models in disease modeling and drug testing
• Gene therapy strategies and functional electrophysiology
• Scientific publishing and grant writing sessions

Participants will also have opportunities for poster presentations, career development workshops, and networking with international peers.
 

Who Should Attend

This course is aimed primarily at PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists in vision science, ophthalmology, neuroscience, and related disciplines who want to deepen their expertise in cutting-edge retina research.

Participation Details

The event will be hosted at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio Campus in Finland. Attendance is limited to approximately 100 participants to foster close interaction and collaborative learning. Abstract submission and registration deadlines are set for early 2026, and travel grants are available through the FEBS Youth Travel Fund to support young researchers’ participation.

Deadlines

• Applications Opening - 30 October 2025
• Youth Travel Grants (FEBS sponsored) - 28 February 2026
• Applications closing - 31 March 2026
• All abstracts - 30 April 2026