The Unit of Excellence at the Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA–UVa) is consolidating its Strategic Research Programme with a clearly translational approach, aimed at ensuring that scientific advances lead to real benefits for patients and society. On 29 January, it held a working session with collaborators and representatives of the Regional Ministry of Education to align priorities and strengthen the visibility of this shared effort.

The IOBA Unit of Excellence brings together more than 25 researchers specialising in visual health, with complementary expertise spanning biology, biochemistry, ophthalmic medicine, and optometry. This multidisciplinary team works in a coordinated way to drive high-level translational research and turn scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for patients and society.

This roadmap is supported by funding for the Unit’s Strategic Research Programme and Improvement Plan under the framework of Castilla y León’s RIS3 strategy, funded by the Regional Government of Castilla y León and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

One of its medium-term goals is to apply for the María de Maeztu accreditation, a national distinction awarded to outstanding research units on the basis of their impact and international relevance. In addition to its prestige, this accreditation also brings funding to strengthen capabilities, attract talent, and consolidate a high-level scientific strategy.

The 29 January session coincided with the first anniversary of the passing of Prof. José Carlos Pastor, founder of IOBA, and was experienced as a particularly meaningful moment for both the Institute and the University of Valladolid, continuing the momentum that shaped its beginnings.

Following the session, the Unit of Excellence team came away with a shared message — research that translates into real benefits for patients and society — and a 2026 agenda focused on internationalisation and strategic positioning: strengthening international collaborations and increasing IOBA’s leadership in European projects as part of its path towards María de Maeztu.

The Unit of Excellence is led by a team of eleven researchers, listed alphabetically: Margarita Calonge Cano (Director of IOBA), Rosa María Coco Martín, Yolanda Diebold Luque, Amalia Enríquez de Salamanca y Aladro, Iván Fernández Bueno (Scientific Director of the Unit), María Jesús González García, Alberto López Miguel, Ana de la Mata Sampedro, Teresa Nieto Miguel, Salvador Pastor Idoate and Ricardo Usategui Martín, together with the recent incorporation of Yolanda Álvarez Teruel as Programme Manager.

Context: Ocular Surface and Retina – Two Examples of Research with Impact

Broadly speaking, many eye diseases mainly affect one of two major areas: the ocular surface (the front part of the eye) or the retina (the back part). The eye is a highly complex organ that can be compared to a camera: the front part helps to focus and protect, while the retina acts as the “sensor” that converts light into vision.

This is why diseases and treatments can vary greatly depending on where the problem originates.

In ocular surface research (the front and outermost part of the eye), the Unit is working on advanced cell therapies to repair damaged corneal tissue. These lines of research are especially relevant for people who have suffered chemical burns, abrasions, or chronic inflammatory or degenerative corneal diseases that can seriously affect vision. The goal is for this research to translate into real improvements in quality of life and visual function for these patients.

In retinal research (the back and innermost part of the eye), the Unit studies inherited diseases that cause degeneration and vision loss associated with changes in different genes, using models created from reprogrammed patient-derived stem cell cultures. These models make it possible to reproduce the disease in the laboratory and assess potential therapeutic strategies more precisely. Although many of these conditions are individually considered rare, taken together — because of the large number of genes involved — they affect millions of people worldwide, and understanding them is key to finding treatments. In parallel, neuroprotective strategies are also being explored in an effort to slow retinal damage

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