Sunday, October 26, 2008

Computer Circuit Built From Brain Cells

Computer circuit built from brain cells

Diagram of the AND logic gate, and (right) the real device. The ion blocker isolates the electrical signals in rectangles one and two (Image: Nature)
trying to build networks of brain cells to href="http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn9391-neurons-selforganise-to-make-brain-chips.html">interface
with electronics
or href="http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn10997-neural-extension-cord-developed-for-brain-implants.html">repair
damaged nervous systems
.

For all its sophistication and power, your brain is built from unreliable components – one neuron can successfully provoke a signal in another only 40% of the time.

Our brains combine neurons into heavily connected groups to unite their 40% reliability into a much more reliable whole.

Elisha
Moses
at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel
developed a way to control the growth pattern of neurons to build reliable
circuits that use neurons rather than wires.

When stimulated with a small dose of a drug, the neurons send signals around the circuit. An ion blocker is used in the centre of the horseshoe to electrically isolate one side from the other.

are able to control how many axons link
could serve as intermediaries between computers and the nervous system
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