In a laboratory just outside Cambridge, a groundbreaking “biological computer” is taking shape. Known as the CL1 device, it contains around 200,000 human brain cells grown in the lab and integrated onto silicon circuitry. These neurons communicate their synchronized electrical activity to the outside world, offering a novel form of computing that blends biology with technology.
Developed by the Australian start-up Cortical Labs in partnership with the UK’s bit.bio, CL1 represents a leap toward what its creators call “synthetic biological intelligence.” Unlike conventional electronics or emerging quantum technologies, biological computers like CL1 promise to process information with far greater energy efficiency by harnessing the actual computing power of living brain cells.
Early applications of this technology focus on neuroscience and pharmaceutical research. By observing how neurons in the CL1 respond to different chemicals and drug candidates, scientists hope to better understand brain function and drug effects. For instance, experiments have demonstrated how substances like alcohol can degrade neuronal processing, while some epilepsy treatments improve the neurons’ ability to perform tasks like playing the simple video game Pong.
Programming these biological systems remains a challenge. Researchers are teaching the neurons to recognize shapes and digits, with the neurons beginning to distinguish between numbers like nine, four, and five. To maintain balance in the system, two types of neurons — one excitatory and one inhibitory — are layered on the silicon circuits. These neurons are derived from human stem cells, originally sourced from skin, and cultivated into pure, homogeneous populations to ensure consistent results.
While biological computing is still in its infancy, experts see it as a transformative technology with potential far beyond current artificial intelligence systems. However, significant hurdles remain. The neurons can only survive for a few months in the device, requiring a constant flow of nutrients and a fresh start once they perish. Additionally, there is no way yet to transfer memory from one neuron batch to the next, meaning each system must relearn from scratch.
The ethical implications of using living brain cells in computing also receive careful attention. Although these systems respond to stimuli and learn from them, their creators stress that they do not possess consciousness. Instead, CL1 and devices like it offer scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study a “little brain” in controlled conditions, advancing our understanding of neuroscience without attempting to recreate a human mind.
As research progresses, biological computing could open new frontiers in energy-efficient processing, drug development, and even robotics, but widespread use remains years away. For now, CL1 stands as a remarkable milestone, blending biology and technology to redefine the possibilities of computing.
