Living computers? Brain organoids power bioprocessor breakthrough

A Swiss startup, FinalSpark, has introduced what it claims to be the world’s first bioprocessor, integrated into an innovative online platform that offers remote access to 16 human brain organoids. This cutting-edge neuroplatform is heralded as a breakthrough, providing direct interaction with biological neurons in vitro.

The world’s first bioprocessor

Key highlights:

• Energy efficiency: FinalSpark emphasizes that its bioprocessor consumes dramatically less power than conventional processors—up to a million times less. This significant reduction could usher in a new era of energy-efficient computing.
• Learning and processing capabilities: The startup suggests that their bioprocessor not only processes information but also has learning capabilities, marking a substantial advancement in bioprocessor technology.
• Innovative architecture: The neuroplatform employs a unique architecture called “wetware”, combining biological, software, and hardware components. It uses four multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) to host the organoids, each array containing four organoids, resulting in a total of 16 brain tissue-based 3D cell structures.

What are brain organoids?

Brain organoids are 3D structures created from human stem cells that mimic early brain development. They contain various cell types like neurons and glia, similar to those in the human brain. These organoids are valuable because they model human brain development better than traditional cell cultures and animal models, making them useful for studying brain diseases.

Brain organoids made from patient cells help researchers understand diseases by studying them at different stages. Multi-brain regional assembloids allow scientists to explore interactions between different brain regions. However, organoids still face challenges like cellular stress, lack of mature cells, and limited circuit formation. This review covers efforts to address these issues and highlights the potential of using brain organoid-derived cells for disease therapy.

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Bold claims from FinalSpark

FinalSpark’s assertions are ambitious and, if proven accurate, could revolutionize our approach to bioprocessors. The company elaborates on these possibilities in a detailed research paper, comparing the energy consumption of its bioprocessor to traditional systems. For example, training a large language model (LLM) like GPT-3 typically requires around 10GWh of power, which is more than 6,000 times the annual energy use of an average European citizen.

(Image credit) The promise of power savings

If FinalSpark’s bioprocessor can achieve its claimed power-saving capabilities, it could be extremely beneficial for high-demand applications, particularly in contexts where reducing power consumption is crucial. This innovation might lead to more sustainable and efficient computing solutions.

• Current limitations: Despite its potential, the scalability of the bioprocessor is still unclear. Although the neuroplatform offers a cloud-like experience, the extent to which the processing power of the 16 organoids can be distributed across multiple operations remains to be seen.
• Exclusive access: Presently, only nine institutions have access to the remote computing platform. Each institution subscribes to the service for $500pcm (a type of cryptocurrency) per user, suggesting a high-end service model aimed at a selective audience.

FinalSpark’s neuroplatform signifies a major advancement in bioprocessing technology, with its integration of biological neurons and innovative architecture. As this technology evolves, it holds the promise of redefining computational efficiency and processing power, potentially leading to significant future developments in the field.

Brain organoids are 3D structures created from human stem cells that mimic early brain development (Image: Kerem Gülen/Midjourney) Application of human brain organoids

Annother article published in the National Library of Medicine is shedding light on the fascinating world of brain organoids:

• Brain organoids are 3D structures created from human stem cells that mimic early brain development, containing various cell types like neurons and glia.
• They offer a more accurate representation of human brain development and function compared to traditional cell cultures and animal models.
• Researchers can study neurodevelopmental diseases by modeling patient-specific genetic information using brain organoids.
• Multi-brain regional assembloids allow the investigation of interactions between different brain regions, providing higher consistency in molecular and functional characterization.
• Despite their potential, organoids face challenges such as cellular stress, lack of mature cell types, limited maturation, and circuit formation.
• Incorporating various neural cell types, like glia and vascular cells, can help overcome some of the limitations of brain organoids.
• Organoid-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) could be used for cell replacement therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Gene-editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 enhance the potential for personalized medicine research using brain organoids.
• Brain organoids were crucial in studying how Zika virus causes neural developmental impairments, including the death of neural stem cells.
• They are valuable for studying diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, providing a better model than animal systems.
• Disc-shaped organoids and microfluidic devices improve nutrient and oxygen delivery, enhancing organoid maturation and functionality.
• Co-culturing brain organoids with microglia helps the organoids maintain a homeostatic state and promotes neural network maturation.
• Brain-on-a-chip technology offers a promising approach to replicate brain development mechanisms, such as wrinkling and folding.
• Beyond modeling diseases, brain organoids have potential in cell therapy for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis.

Are brain organoids conscious?

Currently, brain organoids do not show any signs of human-like consciousness. However, we cannot completely dismiss the possibility that, in the future, brain organoids might develop features that could be considered evidence of consciousness, similar to what we observe in the human brain.

Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Midjourney