ProjektPANDORA – Doctoral network on discovering pathomechanisms and novel drug optimization for AMD
Grunddaten
Akronym:
PANDORA
Titel:
Doctoral network on discovering pathomechanisms and novel drug optimization for AMD
Laufzeit:
01.10.2026 bis 30.09.2030
Abstract / Kurz- beschreibung:
PANDORA will create a multidisciplinary, intersectoral European Doctoral Network focusing on complement system-mediated
pathomechanisms and therapy development for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD, major cause of blindness in the
elderly population, affects daily activities of ca. 200 million people worldwide, placing a major burden on national health systems and
impairing patients’ quality of life. The complement system, known for its role in innate immune surveillance, is a major pathogenic
driver in AMD, also involved in various other diseases, including sepsis, neurodegenerative, kidney, vascular diseases and cancer. We
and others have recently demonstrated the importance of locally produced complement factors and non-canonical complement
functions in the retina, affecting energy metabolism, protein degradation, mitochondrial stability, autophagy and lysophagy, which
are found to be impaired in AMD.
PANDORA will exploit state-of-the art model systems and techniques, including ex vivo multicellular, stem-cell derived and murine
models, omics, imaging, biochemistry, histology, functional assays and computational modelling, to study in depth the different
complement functions relevant to AMD and to find potential biomarkers for stratification and disease monitoring. PANDORA further
aims to develop innovative therapeutic approaches, using gene therapy, compound screening, optimizing drug delivery to the retina,
and a novel ultra-high resolution multimodality imaging system to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy in vivo and in
patients. PANDORA will train Doctoral Candidates as the next generation of European translational scientists in vision and medical
research, and provides every student with the tools for a successful scientific career in academia or industry. Our multidisciplinary
network offers a unique opportunity to expand the understanding and therapeutics for AMD in Europe, and to bring research
findings to benefit for patients.
pathomechanisms and therapy development for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD, major cause of blindness in the
elderly population, affects daily activities of ca. 200 million people worldwide, placing a major burden on national health systems and
impairing patients’ quality of life. The complement system, known for its role in innate immune surveillance, is a major pathogenic
driver in AMD, also involved in various other diseases, including sepsis, neurodegenerative, kidney, vascular diseases and cancer. We
and others have recently demonstrated the importance of locally produced complement factors and non-canonical complement
functions in the retina, affecting energy metabolism, protein degradation, mitochondrial stability, autophagy and lysophagy, which
are found to be impaired in AMD.
PANDORA will exploit state-of-the art model systems and techniques, including ex vivo multicellular, stem-cell derived and murine
models, omics, imaging, biochemistry, histology, functional assays and computational modelling, to study in depth the different
complement functions relevant to AMD and to find potential biomarkers for stratification and disease monitoring. PANDORA further
aims to develop innovative therapeutic approaches, using gene therapy, compound screening, optimizing drug delivery to the retina,
and a novel ultra-high resolution multimodality imaging system to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy in vivo and in
patients. PANDORA will train Doctoral Candidates as the next generation of European translational scientists in vision and medical
research, and provides every student with the tools for a successful scientific career in academia or industry. Our multidisciplinary
network offers a unique opportunity to expand the understanding and therapeutics for AMD in Europe, and to bring research
findings to benefit for patients.
Beteiligte Mitarbeiter/innen
Leiter/innen
Department für Augenheilkunde
Kliniken und klinische Institute, Medizinische Fakultät
Kliniken und klinische Institute, Medizinische Fakultät
Lokale Einrichtungen
Universitäts-Augenklinik
Department für Augenheilkunde
Kliniken und klinische Institute, Medizinische Fakultät
Kliniken und klinische Institute, Medizinische Fakultät
Geldgeber
Brüssel, Belgien