UMass Amherst engineers have built an artificial neuron powered by bacterial protein nanowires that functions like a real one, but at extremely low voltage. This allows for seamless communication with biological cells and drastically improved energy efficiency. The discovery could lead to bio-inspired computers and wearable electronics that no longer need power-hungry amplifiers.
Credentials: I published in this field, but I don’t have time to read the entire paper right now.
This is exciting work. Based on the key highlights, it sounds like their work focuses on how plausible it is to construct the bio-artificial neuron, and they have done so with great success.
What I would like to learn about is what advantages this technology has compared to just cultivating neurons on a microelectrode array. Are the artificial cells easier to maintain? Do they interface with electrodes without developing glial scarring like our brains do? Can they bio-engineer special proteins (e.g. optogenetic channels) easier in these cells than in mouse lines?
Until these advantages are spelled out, it feels like we’re re-invented the biological wheel. We already have cells that can integrate and fire at low voltages. They’re called neurons. Why did we need artificial ones?
IcedRaktajino@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
Smartphones in 2040:
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Whatever. As long as I can run LineageOS or Debian on it.
gedaliyah@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
noooo deeebiiiian, juuusst caaaandy cruuuush
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
SWEET!