VISI-ON-BRAIN’s mission is to deliver a joint doctoral training and research programme for 15 doctoral candidates, enabling each to complete a PhD while gaining the skills to collaborate across disciplines and sectors to develop new technologies for modelling brain disorders. The network integrates research in bioengineering, in vitro modelling and in silico modelling, supported by structured education and training, and complemented by communication and exploitation activities.
VISI-ON-BRAIN is a European training network. Each doctoral candidate completes a focused research project, while learning from shared training events, secondments, and collaboration across partner organisations. The programme is built to encourage interdisciplinary thinking and practical skills for different career paths.
The research programme centres on building “brain-on-the-bench” concepts by combining complex brain-on-chip systems and 3D organoids, alongside predictive in silico models. The methodology includes differentiation of human-derived neuronal and glial cell types from human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines; microfluidic compartmentalised chips (CMCs) to support connectivity and functional readouts; multi-electrode arrays (MEA), calcium imaging and electrochemical sensors; and computational pipelines integrating imaging, transcriptomics and functional data. The project also plans an AI chatbot to support neural differentiation protocols and in silico modelling strategies that integrate multi-omics with functional measures and EEG data.
VISI-ON-BRAIN is committed to ethics compliance and research integrity. An Ethical Coordinator will oversee ethics compliance and ensure required approvals are obtained and maintained. Work with human pluripotent stem cells will use pre-established, duly registered lines (hPSCreg/NIH) with appropriate informed consent and permits. The project aligns with the ALLEA European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, and includes data protection cooperation where required, including data processing/sharing agreements before processing or sharing. AI components will follow EU Guidelines for Trustworthy AI, and the consortium notes that no processing of personal data is foreseen.
MSCA Doctoral Networks fund structured PhD training through international and inter-sectoral consortia. VISI-ON-BRAIN trains 15 doctoral candidates across multiple organisations, combining research projects with network-wide training, mobility and supervision.
Applicants should have a primary degree in a relevant area of engineering or science and submit a motivation statement, CV and references; selection includes interviews and is coordinated and overseen by the Supervisory Board. Mobility rules are position-specific and will be stated in each vacancy notice.
The project combines human cell-based experimental systems (e.g., organoids and brain-on-chip approaches) with computational models that integrate multi-omics and functional readouts.
The project develops alternative, human-focused modelling approaches for brain disorders, while communicating responsibly and avoiding overclaiming about immediate clinical translation.
The consortium plans a Data Management Plan aligned with FAIR principles, with data made available unless it conflicts with IP or other constraints. Publications will be deposited in free-access repositories with reusable metadata.
Training includes research-by-doing in the PhD project, network-wide research schools, locally offered scientific courses, transferable skills training (ethics, public engagement, innovation management) and secondments across sectors.
The programme plans cross-sectoral secondments so all doctoral candidates are exposed to both academic and industrial settings; secondments are expected to last 2–5 months, within a maximum 30% time rule for DN programmes.
The project includes a work package on communication and exploitation strategies. It foresees identifying exploitable results and, where relevant, patenting, licensing or spinout pathways, while following the Grant Agreement and Consortium Agreement rules.