Scientists at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) recently outlined a plan for a potentially revolutionary new area of research called “organoid intelligence”, which aims to create “biocomputers”:
where brain cultures grown in the lab are coupled to real-world sensors and input/output devices. The scientists expect the technology to harness the processing power of the brain and understand the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and various neurological disorders.
Organoid
Organoids are three-dimensional miniature models of organs or tissues that are grown in vitro, meaning outside of a living organism. These structures are created from stem cells or other precursor cells that are induced to self-organize and differentiate into different cell types that make up the organ or tissue of interest.
Organoids mimic the structure and function of the actual organ or tissue, making them a valuable tool for studying the development and function of various organs, as well as for testing potential therapies and drugs. They can be used to study diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cystic fibrosis, and can also be used to develop personalized medicine approaches.
Organoids can be derived from a variety of tissues, including the brain, liver, intestine, kidney, and pancreas. Their potential applications in research and medicine have made organoid technology a rapidly growing field of study.
Organoid Intelligence
According to the researchers, organoid intelligence is the ability of organoids to process information and generate outputs that can be used to control external devices or systems.
The concept involves connecting organoids to electronic devices that can record their activity and use that information to control external devices or systems. For example, a brain organoid could be connected to a robotic arm, allowing it to control the arm's movements in response to sensory inputs.
This approach has the potential to revolutionize fields such as neuroscience, robotics, and artificial intelligence by providing a new way to study the brain and develop intelligent systems. However, it is important to note that the technology is still in the early stages of development, and many challenges remain to be addressed before it can be applied on a large scale.
Bio-Computer
bio-computer is a type of computer that uses biological molecules, such as DNA or proteins, to perform computations. Bio-computing is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science to develop new computing technologies.
Bio-computers operate on the principles of molecular biology, using DNA or proteins as the building blocks for computing devices. These devices can perform computations in parallel, with many operations occurring simultaneously, which makes them potentially much faster and more efficient than traditional electronic computers.
One of the most promising applications of bio-computers is in the field of medical diagnosis and treatment. For example, bio-computers could be used to detect cancer cells in the body, or to deliver drugs directly to specific cells in the body.
Bio-computers are still in the early stages of development, and there are many challenges that must be overcome before they can be widely used. However, the potential benefits of this technology make it an area of active research and development.