ENTRAIN VISION

European Network for integrated TRAINing on Innovative Therapies for VISion RestoratiON

01/04/2020 to 31/03/2024

Blindness is the most feared handicap leading to the greatest exclusion from society by reducing patient autonomy
and mobility. There are still an estimated 39 million blind people worldwide. Clinical trials have demonstrated the
possibility to regain some useful vision with retinal prostheses in patients having lost photoreceptors. New approaches
are entering into clinical trials such as photovoltaic implants, optogenetic therapy and even cortical prostheses for
patients having lost eye to brain connection.
In the present ENTRAIN-Vision project, the Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will work on these innovative
technologies for restoring vision in blind patients. Their training in academic institutes or industry will be completed
by several secondments, including one at an industry partner. In addition, several winter/summer schools will address
scientific subjects on vision restoration and transferable skills in technology transfer, clinical trials, start-up creation,
communication to media. Lectures will be followed by practice e.g. innovative technologies for assessing brain
function.
The project will thus create a unique European network of researchers, clinicians and industrials on visual restoration.
This network will provide a comprehensive training across multiple disciplines including neuroscience, vision,
psychophysics, genetic, electronic, bio-engineering and computational modelling. It will therefore prepare a new
generation of leaders able to carry the new therapeutic strategies from bench to patients. ESRs will encounter founders
of start-up and industrial partners enlarging thereby job opportunities to 1) remain in the career path of research &
innovation, 2) contribute to clinical trials and/or develop the rehabilitation programs or 3) get involved in product
manufacture, distribution and marketing throughout Europe. This project will generate great social and economic
benefits in Europe by improving patient autonomy and daily life.