r/Futurology • u/nimicdoareu • 1d ago
Biotech The computer that runs on human neurons: the CL1 biological computer is designed for biomedical research, but also promises to deliver a more fast-paced and energy-efficient computing system.
https://english.elpais.com/technology/2025-04-05/the-computer-that-runs-on-human-neurons.html9
u/nimicdoareu 1d ago
Lab-grown brain cells are the basis for the functioning of the CL1, which has been announced as the first commercially-sold biological computer.
This machine promises to unravel information-processing in the brain. The CL1 has been designed for the purpose of drug development, by studying how neurons react to certain compounds.
It will also help scientists and medical laboratories understand how neurons process information and how real-time learning works.
The computer will also offer insight into the mechanisms that trigger some neurodegenerative and cognitive diseases.
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u/NotJimmy97 1d ago
This seems quite interesting for electrophysiology studies on how cultured neurons will respond to drugs. It's also neat that you can both read and send electrical impulses simultaneously. However, I remain deeply skeptical that the energy economics of these "wetware" projects will ever improve on generic silicon microchips for any useful task, relative to the amount of waste needed to maintain a tissue culture laboratory. The article makes some particularly cringe worthy errors in drawing a comparison energy-wise ("watts per year"???)
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u/bitechnobable 1d ago
Sorry but this is such a dud.
It's a tabletop incubator with a multielectrode array in it.
I can make a similar one where you put a sausage in it - tada! A sausage computer. X
What does this machine do? Except make huge promises?
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u/acutelychronicpanic 13h ago
Glad to see that we decided to make the whole "brain in a jar" thing real. /s
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u/outragedUSAcitizen 8h ago
The biological components only last 6 months. Then you're left with just the basic silicon components and no longer are able to access the features/benefits of the brain cells. Good POC, but its a gimick.
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u/FuturologyBot 1d ago
The following submission statement was provided by /u/nimicdoareu:
Lab-grown brain cells are the basis for the functioning of the CL1, which has been announced as the first commercially-sold biological computer.
This machine promises to unravel information-processing in the brain. The CL1 has been designed for the purpose of drug development, by studying how neurons react to certain compounds.
It will also help scientists and medical laboratories understand how neurons process information and how real-time learning works.
The computer will also offer insight into the mechanisms that trigger some neurodegenerative and cognitive diseases.
Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/1jsansv/the_computer_that_runs_on_human_neurons_the_cl1/mlky2ht/