Human Brain Cells on a Chip Trained to Play Classic Video Game Doom
Researchers at Cortical Labs, an Australian biotech firm, have taught a cluster of approximately 200,000 human brain cells to play the 1990s video game Doom. The cells, derived from reprogrammed white blood cells donated by the company's CEO, were grown on a silicon chip and connected to a computer system that translates neural activity into game commands. Announced in February via a video, the cells demonstrate basic gameplay actions like shooting and moving, though performance remains rudimentary. This project aims to advance biological computing, with potential applications in medical research such as modeling diseases and testing drugs.
Key facts
- Cortical Labs trained human brain cells to play Doom on a computer chip
- The cells number around 200,000 and come from reprogrammed white blood cells
- The achievement was announced in February through a video demonstration
- The technology interfaces neurons with computers using electrical signals
- Long-term goals include biomedical applications like disease modeling and drug testing
Entities
Institutions
- Cortical Labs
Locations
- Australia