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Published:8 de July de 2026
Simply RETORNA

RETORNA Consortium gathers in Tübingen, Germany for the final annual meeting

As RETORNA enters the final stage of its four-year journey, consortium members gathered in Tübingen, Germany for the project’s third and final Annual Meeting on 1–2 July 2026. Hosted by the University Eye Hospital Tübingen, the meeting provided an important opportunity to sum up the scientific progress, discuss the remaining steps towards project completion, and emphasize the achievements of the doctoral candidates whose research has been driving the network forward.
Bringing together doctoral candidates, researchers, supervisors, project partners and patients’ realities, the annual meeting programme reflected on the growth of the RETORNA network since its launch and highlighted the collaborative efforts that have advanced research into RNA-based therapies for retinal diseases.
Over two days, participants engaged in scientific presentations, strategic discussions, networking activities and patient-focused experiences that reinforced the project’s commitment to excellence in research, training and societal impact.

PhD students presentations

The scientific programme of the Annual Meeting was centred around the presentations delivered by the ten RETORNA doctoral candidates. Across the two-day event, students shared the latest developments from their individual research projects, providing updates on experimental results, methodological advances, secondment experiences while focusing also their attention on the future research directions.

The presentations demonstrated not only the scientific progress achieved since the previous annual meeting (of which we had no doubt of course:) ), but also the increasing independence and maturity of the doctoral candidates as researchers on which all PIs agreed.

Discussions following each presentation encouraged critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the exchange of perspectives from experts in molecular biology,  nanomedicine, RNA therapeutics, drug delivery and health economics, among others.

For many of the students, the Annual Meeting represented an opportunity to present near-final stages of their PhD projects as some of them are really really close to the moment of defending their thesis.

One thing was clear to all PIs: our doctoral candidates have grown tremendously. Compared to the beginning of the project, they are now more confident, more mature as researchers, and fully in control of their scientific work. Watching them present their results and discuss their projects with such assurance was incredibly rewarding. It filled us with joy and pride, as it confirmed that all the activities, mentoring, training, and hard work carried out by the consortium have made a real difference in their development.
The time, effort, and dedication invested by the entire RETORNA consortium have indeed truly paid off and this is perhaps one of the most valuable achievements of the project.

Poster session fostering scientific interaction

A particular highlight of the meeting was the joint poster session organized together with researchers from the Institute for Ophthalmic Research (IOR) in Tübingen. By integrating RETORNA’s activities with the ARVO Poster Session hosted by IOR, doctoral candidates were able to present their work to a broader audience and engage in discussions beyond the consortium.

The interactive format of the session encouraged in-depth scientific conversations, allowing participants to discuss experimental approaches, challenges, preliminary findings, and potential collaborations. Beyond showcasing research results, the poster session provided valuable training in scientific communication and networking, two essential skills for young researchers building their careers that we supported since the beginning of the programme.

This session remind us a lot of our first meeting in Potsdam at the Pro Retina meeting back in April 2024.

 

Management sessions preparing the final stage of RETORNA

As the network approaches its completion, dedicated management sessions played a particularly important role during this Annual Meeting. Representatives from all beneficiary institutions reviewed the status of ongoing activities, deliverables, milestones, secondments, dissemination actions, and reporting obligations. The last amendment and final tasks of the DCs were also analyzed.

Special attention was given to the tasks required for the successful completion of the project, ensuring alignment across the consortium and defining priorities for the coming months. Discussions also focused on maximizing the scientific, societal, and long-term impact of the results generated throughout RETORNA, as well as identifying opportunities for future collaborations beyond the lifetime of the project.

 

 

Learning from the visually impaired community

One of the most meaningful activities of the meeting was the visit to the Betty-Hirsch-Schulzentrum in Stuttgart, a centre dedicated to the education and support of children and young people with visual impairments. The visit offered participants a unique opportunity to better understand the daily realities faced by individuals living with sight loss and most of all see first-hand the tools, technologies, and educational approaches designed by this school to promote accessibility and independence.

The consortium was warmly welcomed by the Headmaster Frederike Isenberg, who presented the history of the Betty-Hirsch-Schulzentrum and provided valuable insights into the school’s daily activities, educational programmes, and support services for children and young people with visual impairments.

Walking through the school’s corridors and witnessing the enthusiasm, resilience, and smiles of its students was a truly moving experience. It reminded us not only of RETORNA’s ultimate mission—to improve the quality of life of people affected by retinal diseases—but also encouraged us to reflect on our own lives, to appreciate the small things, face challenges with courage and positivism, and never lose sight of what truly matters.

We think that this visit will help our DCs to embrace the future challenges with optimism.
We would like to express our gratitude for receiving us and for sharing the inspiring work with our consortium.

 

Contribution of External Advisor Prof. Stephen H. Tsang

The consortium was pleased to welcome once again Prof. Stephen H. Tsang from Columbia University, New York, one of RETORNA’s external advisors, who delivered the keynote lecture entitled “Precision Genome Surgery for Imprecision Medicine.” In his presentation, Prof. Tsang shared the advances of his work in the field of gene and genome-based therapies for inherited retinal diseases, providing participants with valuable insights into emerging therapeutic approaches and the future of precision medicine.

Beyond his keynote lecture, Prof. Tsang actively participated in the scientific discussions throughout the Annual Meeting and poster session, attending the doctoral candidates’ presentations and offering constructive feedback, scientific advice, and in some cases providing also new perspectives on their research projects. His comments stimulated engaging discussions and provided valuable guidance to the students as they move towards the final stages of their PhDs.

Having also attended the first RETORNA Annual Meeting in Valencia, Spain Prof. Tsang was in a unique position to observe the development of the doctoral candidates over the course of the project. From their first presentations as early-stage researchers to the mature and confident scientists they are becoming today, he could witness firsthand the scientific growth, increased expertise, and professional development achieved through the RETORNA training programme.

Here’s to Many More Tours Together

The Annual Meeting finalized with one of Tübingen’s most iconic experiences: a traditional Stocherkahn boat tour on the Neckar River. Under clear sky and warm summer weather, the boats slowly crossed the heart of Tübingen, offering a moment to relax and appreciate the city’s unique charm from a different perspective.
After two days of intense scientific discussions, presentations and strategic planning, the boat tour offered the perfect opportunity to unwind, share informal conversations, and celebrate the achievements of the RETORNA community.
More than a cultural activity, it was an opportunity to reflect on the RETORNA journey, from the first Annual Meeting in Valencia which actually started also on a boat, to this final gathering in Tübingen again on a boat. Surrounded by colleagues who, over the years, have become collaborators and friends, the experience provided a symbolic ending to an extraordinary project chapter.
And while this may have been the final Annual Meeting of RETORNA, we sincerely hope it was not our last journey together. Here’s to many more collaborations, new projects, and, of course, many more tours together.
Thank you all the staff from Tübingen University who contributed to the organization and success of these 4 days programme!
Greetings,

The RETORNA Consortium

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