Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski wins International Research Agendas Programme competition

The Foundation for Polish Science (FPS) has announced the winner of the latest edition of the International Research Agendas (IRAP) programme. Professor Maciej Wojtkowski, the ERA Chair holder under the CREATE project was granted PLN 35 m. to establish the International Center for Translational Eye Research (ICTER). ICTER’s scientific goal is to enhance our understanding of the human eye – from single molecules to entire eye architecture and function. However, by conducting cutting-edge research ICTER will also impact current therapies and design new diagnostic tools. The research conducted at ICTER will have significant impact on the diagnosis and effective treatment of eye diseases. The resulting clinical interventions then are expected to significantly improve eye care and decrease the social and economic burden of ocular conditions.

The project will be carried out in cooperation with Professor Krzysztof Palczewski from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. The funding will allow for financing „the first five years of operation of a research centre whose core areas of research will include human-eye dynamics and plasticity. In the long term, the research is expected to enable the creation of new therapies and diagnostic tools that will be helpful in treating and diagnosing various visual dysfunctions.”, as reported by FPS. „The International Center for Translational Eye Research (ICTER) will be established in Warsaw as an organisational unit of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences. The founders expect to have up to five independent research groups working in the centre. The Institute of Ophthalmology at the University College London (UCL) is the strategic partner of this project.”

More information: FPS webpage