🔗 Share this article

Although it finds inspiration in speculative fiction, but a handful of scientists are demonstrating tangible results working to develop processing units out of organic components.

Welcome to the weird world of biological computing.

The Idea of Living Computers

One day, researchers envision we could see server farms full of "living" servers which replicate aspects of how AI systems processes information - and could consume significantly less of the power of current methods.

We are all used to the notions of equipment and applications in the systems we presently operate.

The rather unconventional phrase employed to characterize what scientists are developing is "organic hardware".

Basically, it entails developing brain cells which are developed into clusters called mini-organs, which then can be linked with sensing devices - at which point the method of trying to use them like small computing units can commence.

The Approach

Several individuals, the very concept of biocomputing is possibly a somewhat unusual.

"In science fiction, people have been living with such concepts for many years," he explained.

The method commences using undifferentiated cells obtained from human skin cells, which they buy from approved sources. The actual donors are unidentified.

However, unexpectedly, they're not short of proposals.

In the research facility, cellular biologists handle several small spherical structures.

Every small orb is essentially a miniature, lab-grown brain organoid, made out of organic components which have been developed to become clusters of neurons and auxiliary cells - these represent the neural clusters.

They don't approach the complexity of a fully developed brain, but they possess the same building blocks.

Testing and Feedback

Subsequent to a procedure which can require extended periods, the biological structures are prepared for connection to an sensing device and then stimulated to react to elementary instructions.

This establishes a way for electrical signals to be dispatched and recorded, with the findings recorded on a standard computer connected to the setup.

This constitutes an elementary examination: you press a key which sends an electric signal through the contacts, and if it functions (it may not regularly) you can barely observe a brief increase of biological reaction on a monitor in answer.

Neural activations are important first steps towards the team's bigger goal of stimulating development in the biological system's cells so they can ultimately adjust to execute functions.

Maintaining Organic Systems Functional

Maintaining an ordinary computer operational is straightforward - it only requires a power supply - but what transpires concerning biocomputers?

This constitutes a challenge researchers haven't solved.

"Neural clusters lack vascular systems," explained a professor of Neurotechnology.

"The human brain has blood vessels that permeate throughout it at various levels and provide nutrients to ensure optimal operation.

"Researchers continue to study how to make them properly. So this is the biggest ongoing challenge."

Nevertheless, one fact persists. When we mention a computer dying, with organic systems that is literally the case.

Substantial developments has been accomplished in recent times: its organoids can now persist through up to four months.

Yet, scientists have documented some unusual observations associated with their ultimate termination.

Periodically scientists detect a burst of response from the biological structures preceding termination – comparable to the elevated pulse and brain activity which has been observed in some humans at final moments.

Actual Applications

Various scientific teams are working in the biological computing field.

Scientists announced that it had succeeded in having biological cells to operate the historical digital entertainment Pong.

Elsewhere, researchers are also creating "mini-brains" to examine their computational capabilities – but in the setting of drug development for neural diseases like cognitive disorders.

The expectation is that machine learning will in the future be able to dramatically accelerate this type of research.

But, for now, many believe organic processing is scientifically exciting - but preliminary.

And she said there is little prospect of it replacing the primary substance currently used for processing units.

"Biological computing should complement – not replace – traditional processing, while also advancing disease modelling and decreasing laboratory animal utilization," she explained.

Although the technology moves closer to practical implementations, many researchers remain fascinated with its futuristic inspiration.

"I have consistently been a admirer of science fiction," he said.

"While reading a futuristic movie, or a publication, I consistently experienced a slight disappointment because my life was not like in the book. Now I believe I'm participating in the narrative, creating the future."