News
On 24 March 2026, the 7th Gießen + Marburg Retina Research Meeting brought together the groups of Prof. Knut Stieger, Prof. Diana Pauly, PD Dr. Markus Preising, Dr. Heidrun Deißler, and PD Dr. Moritz Lindner to discuss recent findings, ongoing projects, and future perspectives in retinal research. Once again, the meeting provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and highlighted the strong collaborative network connecting retinal research activities in Marburg and Gießen.
What is particularly remarkable is the breadth of expertise represented within this consortium, covering some of the most dynamic areas of current retinal research. Presentations addressed pathomechanisms and treatment concepts for both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as disease mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies for inherited retinal disorders. These included topics such as mechanism of action of angiogenesis inhibitors in neovascular diseases, the role of the complement system in retinal pigment epithelium cells, AAV-based gene augmentation, mRNA therapeutics, gene editing, and optogenetic approaches for vision restoration. The meeting clearly demonstrated how the Marburg-Gießen retina research network combines fundamental mechanistic insight with highly innovative translational strategies aimed at future clinical application and will foster vision research at these closely linked universities.
[Für die deutsche Verison bitte hier clicken]
We and many other researchers are putting a lot of energy into the development of sight-restoring therapies. As we go, we must never forget to listen to our potential future patients! They are the only ones who can tell us what they actually need and what our research needs to deliver to make a real difference in their lives. This is why we have just started an interview study, and we would love to talk to affected individuals:
Interview Study
Optogenetics from the Patient's Perspectiv
A New Approach to Vision Improvement
Background
This study aims to understand the expectations and concerns of people with hereditary retinal diseases regarding optogenetic therapy. This is a new type of gene therapy intended to restore vision in advanced retinal diseases. We are particularly interested in the benefits of this new therapy for participants and the conditions it must meet to be useful in daily life.
Who can participate?
- You are at least 18 years old
- Your severe visual impairment (light perception or worse) has been medically confirmed
- You have been diagnosed with a hereditary retinal disease (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa)
- You are willing to share your personal perspective on therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring vision with us
Participant selection: If you are eligible for the study, you will receive an invitation after contacting us. We will then inform you about the study by telephone and arrange an appointment for the interview together.
Interview procedure: The interview consists of a standardized questionnaire and a semistructured interview. It will take place by telephone or video conference, according to your preference, and last approximately 30 minutes.
Interested? Contact: Rayan Rashid
Wir und viele andere Forscher investieren viel Energie in die Entwicklung von Therapien zur Wiederherstellung des Sehvermögens. Dabei dürfen wir niemals vergessen, unseren potenziellen zukünftigen Patienten zuzuhören! Nur sie können uns sagen, was sie tatsächlich brauchen und was unsere Forschung leisten muss, um ihr Leben wirklich zu verbessern. Aus diesem Grund haben wir gerade eine Interviewstudie gestartet und würden uns sehr freuen, mit betroffenen Personen zu sprechen:
Interview Study
Optogenetik aus Patientensicht
Ein neuer Ansatz zur Sehverbesserung
Hintergrund
Mit dieser Studie möchten wir verstehen, welche Erwartungen und Bedenken Menschen mit erblichen Netzhauterkrankungen an eine sogenannte optogenetische Therapie haben. Dabei handelt es sich um ein neuartiges gentherapeutisches Verfahren, das die Wiederherstellung von Sehfähigkeit bei fortgeschrittenen Netzhauterkrankungen ermöglichen soll. Uns interessiert besonders, welche Vorteile Betroffene sich von dieser neuen Therapie erhoffen und welche Voraussetzungen die Behandlung erfüllen muss, um im Alltag wirklich hilfreich zu sein.
Wer kann teilnehmen?
- Sie sind mindestens 18 Jahre alt
- Ihre schwere Sehbehinderung (Lichtwahrnehmung oder schlechter) ist ärztlich bestätigt
- Bei Ihnen wurde eine erbliche Netzhauterkrankung (z.B. Retinitis pigmentosa) diagnostiziert
- Sie sind bereit, Ihre persönliche Sicht auf therapeutische Ansätze zur Verbesserung des Sehvermögens mit uns zu teilen
Auswahl der Teilnehmenden: Wenn Sie für die Studie infrage kommen, erhalten Sie nach Ihrer Kontaktaufnahme eine Einladung. Anschließend informieren wir Sie telefonisch über die Studie und vereinbaren gemeinsam einen Termin für das Interview.
Ablauf des Gesprächs: Das Gespräch besteht aus einem standardisierten Fragebogen und einem halbstrukturierten Interview. Es findet je nach Wunsch telefonisch oder per Videokonferenz statt und dauert ungefähr 30 Minuten.
Sie wollen mehr wissen? Kontakt: Rayan Rashid
Delighted to see some more of our latest research online at BioRXiv: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.05.697593v1
We have generated and characterized a novel mouse model for KCNV2 related retinal dystrophy. It nicely resembles key characteristics of the human disease phenotype.
On September 4th, 2025, we had the honour to host for the 5th meeting of the eye research groups from Gießen and Marburg, marking another exciting opportunity to share knowledge and advance our collaborative work in ophthalmology. After what we hope was a restful summer break, we—along with the groups led by Diana Pauly (Marburg), Knut Stieger (Gießen), Heidrun Deissler (Gießen), and Markus Preising (Gießen)—were excited to reconnect, exchange ideas, and dive back into our research.
The meeting was filled with insightful presentations from both PhD students and PIs, reflecting the range of experimental approaches we're exploring in our eye research efforts in Marburg and Gießen.
It’s always inspiring to see the hard work and creativity within our community. Some of the fascinating topics we discussed included:
- Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery in Ocular Therapy
- Gene Editing in the ABCA4 Gene
- The Effect of AAV-Expressed Opsonins on Gene Expression in RD1 Mice
- Characterization of a Rod/Cone Degeneration Mouse Model for Gene Therapy
- Impact of Hyperoxia on the Vascular Network in iNOS Deficient and Wild-Type Mice
- Claudin-1, Proteasome Inhibitors, and Endothelial Cell Barrier Function
- C3 and Its Role in RPE Cells
Overall, the meeting was a vibrant exchange of ideas and a perfect reflection of how collaborative work can push the boundaries of experimental eye research. The breadth of topics we covered highlighted just how dynamic our field is and reminded us of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.