Creating Biocomputers Powered by Human Brain Cells: A Groundbreaking Plan Revealed by Scientists – Exclusive Interview with Prof. Thomas Hartung, the Esteemed Senior Author
Introduction:
Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking path to advancing computing through organoid intelligence (OI), where lab-grown brain organoids serve as biological hardware. OI promises significant advancements in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency, and storage capabilities, all while requiring less energy. Artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved impressive feats but still falls short in comparison to the human brain. Brain organoids, although not mini brains, share essential aspects of brain function and structure, making them an ideal candidate for biocomputers. OI could revolutionize computing by harnessing the brain’s superior learning ability, energy efficiency, and immense storage capacity. Additionally, OI has potential implications in medicine, including personalized treatments for neurological disorders. The ethical considerations surrounding OI will be continuously assessed by scientists, ethicists, and the public to ensure responsible development.
Full Article: Creating Biocomputers Powered by Human Brain Cells: A Groundbreaking Plan Revealed by Scientists – Exclusive Interview with Prof. Thomas Hartung, the Esteemed Senior Author
Revolutionary Path to Computing: Scientists Explore Organoid Intelligence
Scientists are pushing the boundaries of computing by exploring a new field called organoid intelligence (OI), where lab-grown brain organoids act as biological hardware. These three-dimensional cultures of brain cells, known as organoids, hold promise for unprecedented advancements in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency, and storage capabilities. This new interdisciplinary field, spearheaded by top scientists from various disciplines, aims to launch a new era of fast, powerful, and efficient biocomputing.
What Are Brain Organoids and Why Are They Promising for Computing?
Brain organoids are not miniature brains but rather cell cultures that mimic key aspects of brain structure and function. They contain neurons and other brain cells essential for cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Unlike flat cell cultures, organoids have a three-dimensional structure that allows for a significantly higher cell density and more connections between neurons. While traditional silicon-based computers excel in calculations, brains outperform them in learning abilities. Brains are also more energy-efficient and have an extraordinary capacity to store information.
How Would Organoid Intelligence Bio Computers Function?
To make organoid intelligence a reality, brain organoids need to be scaled up significantly. Currently, organoids contain about 50,000 cells, but for OI, this number would need to increase to 10 million. Additionally, scientists are developing technologies to communicate with organoids, both inputting and extracting information. A brain-computer interface device, similar to an EEG cap, has been created to pick up signals from organoids and transmit signals to them. The goal is to integrate various stimulation and recording tools to facilitate complex computations across networks of interconnected organoids.
Beyond Computing: Organoid Intelligence in Medicine
The potential of organoid intelligence goes beyond computing and extends to medicine. Brain organoids can be produced from adult tissues, enabling the development of personalized organoids from patients with neural disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists can study the cognitive aspects of these conditions and explore ways to repair deficits. Organoid intelligence can also be used to test the effects of substances like pesticides on memory and learning.
Ethical Considerations and Embedded Ethics
Creating brain organoids that can learn, remember, and interact raises complex ethical questions. Scientists are committed to developing organoid intelligence in an ethical and socially responsible manner. The research is partnered with ethicists from the beginning to continuously assess ethical issues. Teams comprising scientists, ethicists, and the public ensure a comprehensive approach to tackle evolving ethical concerns.
The Path to the First Organoid Intelligence
While organoid intelligence is still in its early stages, a recently-published study demonstrating a flat brain cell culture’s ability to learn and play the video game Pong provides proof of concept. Replicating this experiment with organoids would fulfill the basic definition of organoid intelligence, according to Professor Thomas Hartung, director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing in Europe. The future of organoid intelligence lies in building the necessary tools, technologies, and community to unleash its full potential.
Interview with Professor Thomas Hartung
To learn more about organoid intelligence, Professor Thomas Hartung, the senior author of the article, shares his thoughts and insights. As a pharmacologist and toxicologist, Professor Hartung is focused on developing medicines, identifying dangerous substances, and mimicking living brain conditions for testing purposes. The concept of organoid intelligence emerged from the desire to give brain organoids the ability to interact with their environment and process information.
Communicating with Organoids
Tools are being developed to facilitate communication with organoids, allowing input and output interactions. For example, a recording/stimulation device has been created to enable researchers to understand and communicate with organoids.
Summary: Creating Biocomputers Powered by Human Brain Cells: A Groundbreaking Plan Revealed by Scientists – Exclusive Interview with Prof. Thomas Hartung, the Esteemed Senior Author
Scientists have proposed a new field called “organoid intelligence” (OI) that uses lab-grown brain organoids as biological hardware to advance computing. Organoids, which are three-dimensional cultures of brain cells, share key aspects of brain structure and function with actual brains. While traditional computers may be better at number crunching, brains are superior at learning and are more energy efficient. The researchers are developing technologies to communicate with and stimulate organoids, envisioning a future where interconnected networks of organoids can perform more complex computations. OI also holds promise for studying and treating neurological conditions. Ethical considerations are also being addressed by the scientists.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is robotics?
A1: Robotics refers to the field of science and technology that focuses on creating intelligent machines, known as robots, which are programmed to perform various tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention. These machines are designed to interact with their surroundings, sense and process information, make decisions, and execute specific actions.
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