The University of Tübingen has secured more than €4 million in funding from the European Union's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme for the new international research and training network PANDORA (Pathomechanisms and Novel Drug Optimization for Age-related Macular Degeneration).

The project was selected through one of Europe's most prestigious and highly competitive funding programmes for doctoral education and collaborative research, recognising the scientific excellence of the consortium and the quality of its ambitious research and training programme.

Coordinated by the Institute of Ophthalmic Research at the University of Tübingen, PANDORA brings together eight academic institutions, three industrial partners and two non-profit organisations from across Europe. Over the next four years, the consortium will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and develop innovative therapeutic approaches while training 13 doctoral candidates to become the next generation of translational biomedical researchers.

Tackling one of the major diseases of an ageing society

Age-related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults in industrialised countries. Affecting around 200 million people worldwide, AMD has become one of the major health challenges associated with an ageing population. Progressive loss of central vision severely limits independence, mobility and quality of life, while placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems.
Although considerable advances have been made in understanding the disease, effective treatment options remain limited, particularly for the most common forms of AMD. PANDORA aims to address this unmet medical need by investigating the complement system, a key component of the innate immune system that has emerged as a major driver of disease progression. Using state-of-the-art approaches—including stem-cell technologies, multi-omics, advanced imaging, computational modelling, gene therapy and innovative drug delivery systems—the consortium will identify new disease mechanisms, discover biomarkers and develop more effective therapeutic strategies.
Beyond ophthalmology, the project's findings are expected to advance understanding of other diseases in which dysregulation of the complement system plays an important role, including neurodegenerative disorders, kidney diseases, vascular diseases, sepsis and cancer.

Investing in Europe's future scientific leaders

A central objective of PANDORA is the education and training of 13 doctoral candidates in a multidisciplinary, international and intersectoral environment. The programme combines expertise in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, computational biology, stem-cell technologies and translational medicine, preparing young researchers for careers in academia, industry and the biotechnology sector.
By integrating academic research with industrial innovation and international collaboration, PANDORA contributes to strengthening Europe's leadership in translational biomedical research and innovation.

Women leading European research

PANDORA is coordinated at the University of Tübingen by an all-female leadership team at the Institute of Ophthalmic Research. Scientific coordination is led by Dr. Angela Armento, while project management and doctoral training are coordinated by Dr. Sigrid Diether and Dr. Ellen Kilger.
 

Prof. Marius Ueffing, Director of the Institute of Ophthalmic Research, welcomes both the scientific achievement and the leadership behind the project:

"I am particularly pleased that this ambitious European consortium is coordinated by an exceptional team of women researchers and research managers. Their leadership illustrates the outstanding expertise and commitment that drive collaborative research at the University of Tübingen."

Dr. Angela Armento, Scientific Coordinator of PANDORA, emphasizes the project's broader vision:

"Receiving funding through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks programme is a strong recognition of the scientific quality of our consortium and of the innovative research programme we have developed. PANDORA combines interdisciplinary research with an ambitious doctoral training programme. Our goal is to better understand how the complement system contributes to Age-related Macular Degeneration and to translate this knowledge into new therapeutic strategies that will ultimately benefit patients."

The leadership of PANDORA reflects the University of Tübingen's commitment to scientific excellence, international collaboration and equal opportunities in research while highlighting the growing contribution of women to coordinating major European research initiatives.

About PANDORA

PANDORA (Pathomechanisms and Novel Drug Optimization for Age-related Macular Degeneration) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union with more than €4 million. The consortium unites eight academic institutions, three industrial partners and two non-profit organisations to investigate complement-mediated mechanisms in Age-related Macular Degeneration, develop innovative therapeutic approaches and train the next generation of translational vision scientists.
 

Project Coordinator: University of Tübingen, Institute of Ophthalmic Research
Scientific Coordinator: Dr. Angela Armento
Project Management and Training Coordination: Dr. Sigrid Diether and Dr. Ellen Kilger