Artificial neurons: paving the way for nerve repair.
13 replies, posted
[url]http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-build-an-artificial-neuron-that-fully-mimics-a-human-brain-cell[/url]
[QUOTE]Researchers have built the world’s first artificial neuron that’s capable of mimicking the function of an organic brain cell - including the ability to translate chemical signals into electrical impulses, and communicate with other human cells.
These artificial neurons are the size of a fingertip and contain no ‘living’ parts, but the team is working on shrinking them down so they can be implanted into humans. This could allow us to effectively replace damaged nerve cells and develop new treatments for neurological disorders, such as spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s disease.[/QUOTE]
[video=youtube;NhTZnnJJP64]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhTZnnJJP64[/video]
[QUOTE]"The sensing component of the artificial neuron senses a change in chemical signals in one dish, and translates this into an electrical signal," said Richter-Dahlfors. "This electrical signal is next translated into the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in a second dish, whose effect on living human cells can be monitored."
This means that artificial neurons could theoretically be integrated into complex biological systems, such as our bodies, and could allow scientists to replace or bypass damaged nerve cells. So imagine being able to use the device to restore function to paralysed patients, or heal brain damage.
[/QUOTE]
We truly live in an age of wonders.
I've studied at that department :D
I wonder if we can potentially create entire working brains out of these artificial neurons. Or at the least use this tech to augment what we already have.
from this [URL="http://news.cision.com/karolinska-institutet/r/artifical-neuron-mimicks-function-of-human-cells,c9796303"] source[/URL] in the ops news article
[quote=source in sciencealert article][B]“Our artificial neuron is made of conductive polymers and it functions like a human neuron”, says lead investigator Agneta Richter-Dahlfors, professor of cellular microbiology. “The sensing component of the artificial neuron senses a change in chemical signals in one dish, and translates this into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is next translated into the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in a second dish, whose effect on living human cells can be monitored.“[/B]
The research team hope that their innovation, presented in the journal Biosensors & Bioelectronics , will improve treatments for neurologial disorders which currently rely on traditional electrical stimulation. The new technique makes it possible to stimulate neurons based on specific chemical signals received from different parts of the body. In the future, this may help physicians to bypass damaged nerve cells and restore neural function.
[B]“Next, we would like to miniaturize this device to enable implantation into the human body”, says Agneta Richer-Dahlfors. “We foresee that in the future, by adding the concept of wireless communication, the biosensor could be placed in one part of the body, and trigger release of neurotransmitters at distant locations. Using such auto-regulated sensing and delivery, or possibly a remote control, new and exciting opportunities for future research and treatment of neurological disorders can be envisaged.”[/B][/quote]
It sounds amazing
[URL]http://www.journals.elsevier.com/biosensors-and-bioelectronics/[/URL]
[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;48120746]I wonder if we can potentially create entire working brains out of these artificial neurons. Or at the least use this tech to augment what we already have.[/QUOTE]
I doubt it. They are still extremely basic. It basically translates chemical signals to electrical ones and then back to chemical signals. So yeah it mimics how a real neuron transfers signals to and from each other.
But that seems to be it. And as we know, a neuron does more than that.
[QUOTE=Swebonny;48120794]I doubt it. They are still extremely basic. It basically translates chemical signals to electrical ones and then back to chemical signals. So yeah it mimics how a real neuron transfers signals to and from each other.
But that seems to be it. And as we know, a neuron does more than that.[/QUOTE]
Of course, this is still very early research and you'd need a lot of work before we can get that far, but those seem to be the eventual logical endpoints of making artificial brain cells, assuming we can't find a way to make normal neurons regenerate themselves. And even then, if the eventual artificial brain cell ends up being better than natural neurons, it's a given that somebody will try to pioneer augmenting human consciousness with extra computing power, so to speak.
[QUOTE=Swebonny;48120695]I've studied at that department :D[/QUOTE]
I live in that country :D
Is it me or was that camera setup and editing odd?
maybe when I am in my 30s I might finally have enough capacity to understand algebra and calculus and shit like that.
Cool, as fuck.
[QUOTE=DeEz;48121903]I live in that country :D[/QUOTE]
I'm of the same species.
Gotta wonder, I know DE:HR has already asked these questions but what are the implications of this: will we reject it? Will this create a class divide? Will fanatic cells of pros and cons start causing havoc? Will this ever even reach the point of enhancing over repairing anyway?
I need more RAM.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.