Organic Molecules, Computers and brain cells ?

Imagine a future where computer programmers work with organic molecules instead of silicon. As artificial intelligence software and advanced computers continue to revolutionize modern technology, some researchers believe that this shift is not only possible but inevitable. Organic computing could unlock new levels of computing power and energy efficiency, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as medicine and materials science. Join me as we explore the exciting potential of organic computing and the future of technology.

Imagine a world where computers are made of organic molecules like human DNA or proteins. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are exploring the potential of "biocomputers" and how they could unlock new insights into human biology while advancing the processing power of future technology. By harnessing the natural power of organic materials, these biocomputers could enable us to tackle complex problems in medicine, genetics, and more. Join me as we explore this fascinating field of research and the potential impact it could have on our lives.

Many of these technological predictions come from a concept known as organoids, which are artificially created tissues that closely resemble fully developed organs and exhibit similar biological complexities to tissues found in kidneys, lungs, and brain cells.

Over the past two decades, organoids have gained significant traction in laboratories, presenting scientists with a more humane substitute for animal or human experimentation. These lab-grown tissues imitate fundamental cell functions and are propelling scientific progress towards a deeper understanding of cellular operations.

In a recent news release, it was reported that scientists at Johns Hopkins University are currently studying "brain organoids," tiny spheres no larger than a pen dot that mimic fundamental neural processes involved in learning and memory in the human brain.

According to the news release, this breakthrough offers a new avenue for researching the workings of the human brain. "This opens up research on how the human brain works," remarked Thomas Hartung, a professor of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins. He further explained that a better understanding of human cognition can serve as a roadmap for unlocking greater computing power in future technologies.

In 2012, Hartung and his team initiated the process of cultivating brain organoids using reprogrammed human skin cells that could mimic the functions of other cells. These organoids contain around 50,000 cells each, and the team envisions using their structure as a foundation for novel forms of computer programming, with the goal of creating more advanced computers.

While computer calculations involving numbers and data are much faster and capable of processing larger volumes of information than the human brain, Hartung emphasizes that humans are currently more adept at making complex logical decisions with far less processing power.

An excellent example of this is our ability to differentiate between a cat and a dog with just a cursory glance, which requires much less processing power than a computer program would need. Even though an advanced computer could provide far more detailed information about each species than an average person.

Scientists are growing tiny structures called brain organoids in the lab, which mimic the basic functions of the human brain. By combining these organoids with artificial intelligence, they hope to create new types of computers that can work faster and process more information than traditional computers. These computers could be much more efficient at storing and using data than the ones we have today.

Although it may take several decades before an organoid-based computer can operate effectively, Hartung notes that the expanding field of organoid research keeps this possibility alive.

Lena Smirnova, an assistant professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins and a co-leader of the study, mentioned that this research has the potential to transform drug testing for conditions related to the degeneration and development of the brain.

In the news release, Smirnova remarked that the tools being developed for biological computing could also aid in the study of neuronal network changes that are unique to autism, without the need for animal testing or access to patients. According to Smirnova, advancing bio-computing could help researchers comprehend the fundamental mechanisms behind cognitive impairments and other issues in patients.