“Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca is strengthening its role within the NeurotechEU European University Alliance by participating in three of the ten international projects selected for funding under the alliance’s call to advance neurotechnology education.
The selected projects bring together partners from NeurotechEU member universities to develop innovative educational programmes based on international collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and cutting-edge technologies. Through these initiatives, students and academic staff across the alliance will gain access to new learning opportunities at the intersection of medicine, neuroscience, and engineering.
Fundamentals of Bioengineering Brain Organoids
The first project, “Fundamentals of Bioengineering Brain Organoids“, is led by Karolinska Institutet in partnership with Boğaziçi University, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, and “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca.
The two-week programme combines online theoretical instruction with hands-on laboratory training at UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca. Participants will develop practical skills in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), cortical organoid culture, imaging techniques, and modern neurotechnology applications.
By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the course supports the development of advanced experimental models with the potential to reduce reliance on animal testing while accelerating innovation in biomedical research.
UMF team: Dr. Ștefan Strilciuc, Senior Researcher II, and Dr. Dragoș-Nelu Font.
Advancements in Experimental Microsurgery
The second project, “Advancements in Experimental Microsurgery“, is developed in partnership between UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Karolinska Institutet, and Boğaziçi University.
The programme includes one week of online theoretical training followed by one week of practical laboratory sessions at UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, where participants will practice advanced microsurgical techniques ranging from submillimetre dissections on Drosophila to in vivo microvascular anastomoses in murine models.
Structured with progressively increasing levels of complexity, the course is designed to develop the precision and dexterity required for experimental research and translational medicine, while integrating knowledge from neuroscience, surgery, and neurotechnology.
The practical activities will be carried out in collaboration with the UMF Biobase and the Romanian Student Society of Surgery (SSCR).
UMF team: Prof. dr. Ioan Ștefan Florian, Dr. Alexandra Călăuz, and Dr. Dragoș-Nelu Font.
NeuroCarers: Challenge-Based Education to Support People Caring for Individuals with Neurodegenerative Diseases
The third project, “NeuroCarers: Co-Creation of Challenge-Based Learning Materials on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Carers Burden, and Neurotechnologies“, is a collaboration between UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH).
The initiative aims to develop innovative educational resources and implement a Challenge-Based Learning model through which students in medicine, nursing, and other health professions will explore the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on patients and their caregivers, compare existing care models, and evaluate the role of neurotechnologies in supporting caregiving.
The project follows a three-phase structure: Investigate, Integrate, and Create. During the final phase, students will work directly with caregivers of people living with neurodegenerative diseases in Romania and Spain to develop the Caregiving Toolkit, a practical resource available in Romanian, Spanish, and English in both digital and printable formats.
The educational materials will be published on the Campus+ platform, while the project will conclude with an international hybrid dissemination event hosted in Cluj-Napoca, laying the foundation for a future elective course.
UMF team: Dr. Simona Ciotlăuș, Associate Professor Adina Stan, Associate Professor Adrian Pană, Associate Professor Silvina Iluț, and Assistant Professor Iulia Vădan.
A Significant Contribution to the Future of Neurotechnology Education in Europe
These three projects highlight UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu”‘s active contribution to building a European ecosystem for education and research in neurotechnology. Through close collaboration with partner universities within the NeurotechEU Alliance, the university continues to develop modern educational programmes that address today’s healthcare challenges while preparing the next generation of specialists capable of transforming research into solutions with a meaningful impact on society.
