Mini-brains could power future biocomputers with human cells


 The global field of biocomputing has advanced significantly with the "living computer" initiative, led by Swiss startup FinalSpark in collaboration with ten major universities. This project seeks to scale the use of "bioprocessors"—clusters of human brain organoids derived from skin cells—for computational tasks. Currently limited to about 10,000 neurons, these biological processors have shown the ability to learn and respond to electrical stimuli, similar to binary computing. This initiative represents a major shift toward energy efficiency, as biological neurons consume much less power than traditional silicon chips, offering a sustainable alternative for the growing demands of artificial intelligence.

However, the technology faces challenges, particularly concerning the longevity and stability of the organoids. Unlike silicon, these living systems require complex maintenance and cannot simply be rebooted. Researchers are using dopamine reinforcement to improve learning while addressing the ethical implications of using human-derived tissue for computation.

The consortium is focused on extending the bioprocessors' lifespan, with potential applications in advanced drug testing and fundamentally restructuring data processing infrastructure, marking a pivotal step in moving "wetware" from theory to practical application.


Read the original article at: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/mini-brain-living-computer



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