Breakthrough in neurotechnology: scientists set new standards with a biocomputer made from living brain tissue – and pave the way for revolutionary computer technology!

The fusion of man and machine has taken another step forward as researchers have built a “biocomputer.” Bioengineers at Indiana University in the US have combined lab-grown human brain tissue with microelectrodes. The scientists have named their creation Brainoware. It is in an embryonic stage of development but can already perform complex tasks such as speech recognition. Lead researcher Dr Feng Guo hopes his mild-mannered software will help advance AI technologies. It could also lead to AI hardware consuming far less energy than silicon crisps. Dr Guo said: “This is just proof of concept to show we can do the job. We still have a long way to go.”

The researchers explained that their Brainoware system works with “organoids.” These are artificially grown bundles of tissue and stem cells that resemble an organ. Dr Guo said his team’s organoids are like mini-brains. They have transformed and developed neurons that resemble those of the human brain. As a next step, the researchers want to investigate how brainpower can be customized to perform higher-level tasks. The technology could one day be used to create improved models of the brain and advance neuroscience research. It could also lead to cures for neurological diseases. A significant challenge for researchers is to find solutions to keep the living tissue alive.

Sources:

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03975-7
• https://www.newscientist.com/article/2407768-ai-made-from-living-human-brain-cells-performs-speech-recognition/
  
• https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-built-a-functional-computer-with-human-brain-tissue
  
• https://www.ndtv.com/science/scientists-combine-lab-grown-brain-tissues-with-computer-test-speech-recognition-4671577