Swiss Scientists Race to Develop Biocomputers Using Human Brain Cells

(MENAFN) Swiss researchers are making strides toward developing biocomputers composed of living cells—an ambitious concept that once belonged solely to the realm of science fiction, according to media on Saturday.

The team is advancing efforts to build data centers powered by “living servers” that mimic artificial intelligence while drastically reducing energy consumption. This innovation is ushering in a novel category called “wetware,” poised to join software and hardware as a fundamental computing component.

Fred Jordan, co-founder of the FinalSpark laboratory and a leading figure in this pioneering field, emphasized the profound implications of the approach. “When you start to say, ‘I am going to use a neuron like a little machine,’ it gives you a different view of our own brain and makes you question what we are,” Jordan said.

Acknowledging the futuristic nature of biocomputers, Jordan cautioned that the idea remains rooted in science fiction, despite the ongoing breakthroughs.

A key milestone involves transforming human skin cells into stem cells, which are then cultivated into tiny brain-like clusters called “organoids.” These lab-grown spheres, while simpler than a human brain, share essential biological building blocks, media report noted.

Once matured over several months, organoids are connected to electrodes and tested with simple keyboard commands. Electrical signals prompt measurable spikes of activity on computer screens, resembling EEG readings, confirming signal transmission and response.

By refining electrical stimulation and unraveling the unknowns, researchers aim to boost these biocomputers’ ability to learn and execute commands.

Jordan explained, “For AI, it’s always the same thing. You give some input, you want some output that is used. For instance, you give a picture of a cat, you want the output to say if it’s a cat.”

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