Scientists Couple Nerve Tissues With Computer Chip 92
patiwat writes "Recalling Ghost in the Shell, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried have coupled living brain tissue to a semiconductor chip. This technique involves culturing razor-thin slices of the hippocampus region on the chip, enabling them to record neural communication between thousands of nerve cells in the brain tissue slice. The hippocampus is associated with temporary storage of memory. Employing the new technique, the scientists working under the direction of Peter Fromherz were able to visualize the influence of pharmaceutical compounds on the neural network, making the 'brainchip' an exciting test bed for neuropharmaceutical research, with potential for further development in neurochip prosthetics and neurocomputation. The researchers reported this news in the online edition of the Journal of Neurophysiology (May 10, 2006)."
Re:Repair my brain? (Score:4, Interesting)
1. This means at some point we'll be able to control electronics with our brain.
2. This means at some point electronics will be able to control us.
I/O is a funny thing like that. Who is telling who what to do?
Neurocomputation means Artificial Intelligence. (Score:1, Interesting)
Standards in Artificial Intelligence [blogcharm.com] include hybrids of neural biology and computer hardware -- where neuro-chips integrate neuronal tissue with a silicon surface.
Our Neurofuture [blogspot.com] ranges now from enhancement of the human brain-mind to a Vulcan mind-meld of brain and machine.
A Theory of Cognitivity [visitware.com] explains how to build the artificial minds of the future -- whether housed in computers or in these new hybrids of chip and nerve-cell.
Primitive AI Engines [sourceforge.net] already exist and need only rapid prototyping along multiple development paths in the race towards True AI and superintelligent AI (SAI).
Expect an AI Landrush [sourceforge.net] to start in the year 2007.
Human-Level AI [sl4.org] should be here by 2009.
A Joint Stewardship of Earth [wikocracy.com] under human and cyborg control will render the legal definition of person meaningless, as the citizens of society range from flesh-and-blood humans through all mannner of neurocomputational hybrids to full-metal robots.
The Singularity Timetable [blogcharm.com] predicts a Technological Singularity by the end time of the ancient Mayan calendar in 2012 -- only six neurochip years from now.