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Retina4Future - COST Action CA24105

Working Groups

Working Group 1

Tools for Retina Research and Clinics

Description

WG1 focuses on the evaluation, harmonisation, and sharing of experimental and clinical tools for retinal research, including preclinical models, biological samples, imaging, biomarkers, and AI-supported diagnostics.

Tasks

  • Develop standardized research and clinical protocols

  • Compile inventories of preclinical models, biomarkers, samples, and technologies

  • Define image annotation guidelines for AI applications

  • Create centralized repositories for retinal imaging and data

  • Identify gaps in available tools and models

Milestones

  • Guidelines for standardized protocols (D1.1)

  • Position paper on image annotation for AI (D1.2)

  • Technological platform and shared repositories (D1.3)

Leaders

  • HB PhotoMUW2021 Hrvoje Bogunovic

    WG1 Leader

    Hrvoje Bogunovic
    Medical University of Vienna
    Flag of Austria Austria
    Email Address
    Short Bio: I studied computer science at the University of Zagreb and completed my PhD in artificial intelligence (AI) for medical imaging at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. I subsequently joined the University of Iowa as a postdoc, where I started to specialize in AI for retinal image analysis. In 2015, I joined the Medical University of Vienna, where I advanced AI for retinal OCT. Since 2021, I have been leading the Christian Doppler Lab for Artificial Intelligence in Retina and in 2024, I took up an Assistant Professorship for Medical Image Computing at the AI Institute, Center for Medical Data Science. In 2024, I was awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant and in 2026, the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award.
    Keywords: Medical Imaging, Retina, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, OCT
    WGs: WG1
  • TB Tomáš Bárta

    WG1 Co-Leader

    Tomas Barta
    Faculty od Medicine, Masaryk University
    Flag of Czech Republic Czech Republic
    Email Address
    Short Bio: I investigate human retinal development and disease using stem cell–derived retinal organoids and advanced in vitro models. My research focuses on how light regulates retinal maturation, circadian biology, and neuronal function, with the aim of improving the physiological relevance of organoid models for disease modelling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. I combine human induced pluripotent stem cells, genome engineering, transcriptomics, imaging, electrophysiology, and bioengineering approaches to study retinal development and inherited retinal diseases. I am also interested in developing open-source technologies for retinal research.
    Keywords: Retinal organoids, Pluripotens stem cells, Retinal and eye in vitro models
    WGs: WG1
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Working Group 2

New Therapeutic Approaches

Description

WG2 advances innovative therapeutic strategies for retinal diseases, covering drug discovery and repurposing, gene and RNA therapies, ocular delivery systems, and regenerative medicine.

Tasks

  • Identify druggable targets and repurposable compounds

  • Review and advance gene and RNA therapy approaches

  • Map and assess ocular drug and gene delivery systems

  • Identify bottlenecks in advanced and regenerative therapies

  • Foster interdisciplinary and SME collaborations

Milestones

  • Review on therapeutic targets and drug repurposing (D2.1)

  • State-of-the-art review on gene therapy (D2.2)

  • Guidelines on RNA therapy targets (D2.3)

  • Review on ocular drug delivery systems (D2.4)

  • Review on retinal regenerative medicine (D2.5)

Leaders

  • Francisco Ambrósio Photo Francisco Ambrósio

    WG2 Leader

    António Francisco Ambrósio
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
    Flag of Portugal Portugal
    Email Address
    Short Bio: I am a Coordinating Researcher/Full Professor at Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal, and the Leader of Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab. My main scientific interests are focused on retinal degenerative diseases (diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, AMD and IRDs). I have been interested in elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying retinal dysfunction/degeneration, paying particular attention to the role played by neuroinflammation mediated by microglial cells, cell-cell crosstalk, and neuroprotection. I have also been interested in identifying new drug targets and developing advanced therapies for retinal diseases, identifying novel biomarkers of disease, and drug repurposing. More recently, I became interested in understanding the impact of prior systemic infections on chronic retinal diseases occurring later in life.
    Keywords: Retinal degenerative diseases, neuroinflammation, microglia, neuroprotection, novel therapies
    WGs: WG1, WG2, WG6
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    WG2 Co-Leader

    Alex Garanto
    Radboudumc
    Flag of Netherlands Netherlands
    Email Address
    WGs: WG1, WG2, WG3, WG6
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Working Group 3

Translational Medicine and Clinical Research

Description

WG3 strengthens translational and clinical research by harmonising methodologies, improving clinical trial design, and promoting multicentre studies and clinically meaningful biomarkers.

Tasks

  • Harmonise preclinical and clinical study procedures

  • Define biomarkers and surrogate clinical endpoints

  • Create inventories of clinical samples and genetic data

  • Identify gaps and priorities for new clinical trials

  • Engage with regulators and HTA bodies

Milestones

  • Consensus review on preclinical and clinical study design (D3.1)

  • Position paper on retinal disease mutations and risk factors (D3.2)

  • Inventory of clinical samples (D3.3)

  • Position paper on underexplored retinal diseases (D3.4)

  • Consensus review on retinal phenotyping and diagnostics (D3.5)

Leaders

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    WG3 Leader

    Alastair David Bezzina
    Ministry for Health - Government of Malta
    Flag of Malta Malta
    Email Address
    WGs: WG3, WG5
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    WG3 Co-Leader

    Dijana Sontacchi
    Universidade de Lisboa
    Flag of Croatia Croatia
    Email Address
    Short Bio: Diana's main research work has been developed in the biomaterial's field for ocular treatment, namely in drug release, material's characterisation, surface modification and interaction with biomolecules. She has work on in vitro drug release ocular simulated conditions using microfluidics. She masters several advanced characterisation techniques, namely atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, rheometery, goniometery, quartz crystal microbalance, differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical testing. She also dominates several sterilisation procedures and related biological analysis (e.g., microbiological tests, sterility tests, cytotoxicity). She has an h-index of 14, published 27 peer-reviewed papers in high impact journals that have >620 citations (source: SCOPUS).
    Keywords: Polymers, Controlled Drug Release, Characterisation, Therapeutic analysis
    WGs: WG2, WG6
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Working Group 4

Economic Output

Description

WG4 focuses on translating research outputs into economic and societal impact, promoting innovation, technology transfer, and collaboration between academia and industry.

Tasks

  • Develop technology roadmaps for marketable solutions

  • Align technology maturity, IP strategy, and regulatory pathways

  • Promote YRI–SME collaboration and training

  • Attract additional SMEs to the network

  • Organise industry showcase events

Milestones

  • Consensus review on technology roadmaps (D4.1)

  • Periodic reports on economic exploitation of results (D4.2)

Leaders

  • Pfp

    WG4 Leader

    Tiago Ferreira
    Tenpoint Therapeutics
    Flag of Switzerland Switzerland
    Email Address
    Short Bio: Experienced Team leader and Scientist with expertise in cell-based and gene-based therapies (CGT), drug development and delivery platform of nucleic acids for ocular diseases (front & back of the eye). Experienced in preclincial development (from idea to entering into the clinic).
    Keywords: Cell therapy, Gene therapy, Drug development, Stem cells, Ocular diseses
    WGs: WG2, WG3, WG4
  • Yevgeny Beiderman 2 Yevgeny Beiderman

    WG4 Co-Leader

    Yevgeny Beiderman
    Holon Institute Of Technology
    Flag of Israel Israel
    Email Address
    Short Bio: Yevgeny Beiderman received his Ph.D. in 2013 in Mathematics and Electro-Optical Engineering from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, where he also completed a postdoctoral fellowship. He has over 20 years of experience in industry and academy, holding leading scientific and engineering positions across a range of advanced technology projects. His research interests include optical remote sensing, ocular monitoring, biomedical engineering, image processing, and machine learning/AI. Dr. Beiderman is currently with the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT), Israel. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to two book chapters, and filed eight patents. His work has been recognized with multiple international awards for the development of innovative sensing technologies.
    Keywords: Retinal blood flow, Optical remote sensing, Biomedical engineering
    WGs: WG1, WG2
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Working Group 5

Patient-Oriented Research

Description

WG5 ensures meaningful patient involvement throughout the research cycle, promoting patient-centred research, priority setting, and outcomes that reflect real patient needs.

Tasks

  • Involve patients in defining research priorities

  • Integrate patient perspectives into study design

  • Develop patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)

  • Promote visual and functional rehabilitation strategies

  • Support Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)

Milestones

  • Guidelines for patient-centred study design (D5.1)

  • Inventory of visual and functional rehabilitation services in Europe (D5.2)

Leaders

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    WG5 Leader

    Declan Meenagh
    Fighting Blindness
    Flag of Ireland Ireland
    Email Address
    WGs: WG5, WG6
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    WG5 Co-Leader

    Vanessa Ferreira
    Humanized Solutions, Lda
    Flag of Portugal Portugal
    Email Address
    WGs: WG5
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    WG5 Sub-Group Leader

    Sónia Santos
    Humanized Solutions, Lda
    Flag of Portugal Portugal
    Email Address
    WGs: WG5
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Working Group 6

Community Liaison and Dissemination

Description

WG6 coordinates communication, dissemination, and community engagement activities, ensuring visibility, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of the Retina4Future Action.

Tasks

  • Develop and maintain the Retina4Future website

  • Coordinate newsletters, social media, and dissemination materials

  • Organise webinars, public outreach events, and Open Days

  • Support future European project applications

  • Centralise dissemination outputs from all WGs

Milestones

  • Dissemination & Exploitation Plan (D6.1)

  • Retina4Future website and continuous updates (D6.2)

  • Quarterly newsletter (D6.3)

  • Thematic webinars and public outreach events (D6.4–D6.5)

Leaders

  • Cv picture2026 Elena Kautsky Milanesi

    WG6 Leader

    Elena Milanesi
    Victor Babes National Instituite of Pathology
    Flag of Romania Romania
    Email Address
    Short Bio: I am a medical biotechnologist, Senior Scientific Researcher at the National Institute of Pathology and Biomedical Sciences “Victor Babeș” (INCDVB), and Assistant Professor at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. My research focuses on molecular genetics, genomics, and biomarker discovery in non-communicable diseases, particularly neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and age-related disorders. I have extensive experience in translational biomedical research and the application of omics technologies to advance precision medicine.
    Keywords: Translational research, Molecular genetics, Biomarkers, Non-communicable diseases
    WGs: WG3, WG6
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    WG6 Co-Leader

    Jana Jaksic
    Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Belgrade
    Flag of Serbia Serbia
    Email Address
    WGs: WG1, WG3
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