Swedish scientists develop world’s first ‘living computer’ using human brain tissue
FinalSpark researchers created this innovative technology, which is made up of 16 organoids, or lab-grown clusters of brain cells that communicate with one another.
Swedish scientists developed the world’s first “living computer” using human brain tissue. FinalSpark researchers created this innovative technology, which is made up of 16 organoids, or lab-grown clusters of brain cells that communicate with one another. These organoids behave similarly to traditional computer chips, transmitting and receiving signals via neurons that act as circuits.
What sets this living computer apart is its energy efficiency. Living neurons use over a million times less energy than digital processors. For instance, the human brain, operating at the same speed and with 1,000 times more memory, consumes only 10 to 20 watts, compared to a computer like the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Frontier, which uses 21 megawatts.
Dr. Fred Jordan, co-CEO of FinalSpark, highlighted the uniqueness of this research, stating that while the concept is common in science fiction, real-world studies are limited. The organoids, which are 3D tissue cultures made from stem cells, were cultured for about a month until they developed features like neurons. The FinalSpark mini-brains consist of approximately 10,000 living neurons, each about 0.5mm in diameter.
The organoids are trained using dopamine. When they perform tasks correctly, they receive a dopamine reward, administered by shining light on a specific area of the organoid, mimicking the natural process in the human brain. The mini-brains are equipped with eight electrodes to measure activity and can be stimulated by sending current through these electrodes.
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