Digital computers have separate units for processing (CPU) and memory (RAM). In biological computation, this distinction dissolves. The strength and pattern of connections between neurons *is* the memory, and the electrical firing (spiking) across these same connections *is* the processing.
The supply chain for neurons is not the main problem; they can be produced easily. The true challenge and next major milestone is "learning in vitro"—discovering the principles to program neural networks to perform consistent, desired computations like recognizing images or executing logic.
The idea for a living computer came not from biologists, but from engineers with backgrounds in signal processing. This highlights how breakthrough innovations often occur at the intersection of disciplines, where outsiders can reframe a problem from a fresh perspective.
FinalSpark’s biocomputing platform abstracts the physical lab work. Researchers from anywhere in the world can interact with living neurons by writing and executing Python code. This code controls electrical stimulation, data collection, and analysis, democratizing access to this frontier technology.
While discussions about biocomputing often veer into sci-fi fears of consciousness, the immediate, practical danger is biological. The neurons lack an immune system, making them highly vulnerable to contamination from bacteria or fungi, which can kill the cells and halt experiments.
Contrary to sci-fi imagery, the living neurons for biocomputing platforms are not extracted from animals. They are created from commercially available stem cells, which are originally derived from human skin. This process avoids the ethical and practical issues tied to using primary tissue.
The primary motivation for biocomputing is not just scientific curiosity; it's a direct response to the massive, unsustainable energy consumption of traditional AI. Living neurons are up to 1,000,000 times more energy-efficient, offering a path to dramatically cheaper and greener AI.
There's a qualitative difference between neurons grown in vitro from stem cells and those found in an adult brain. The scientific community discusses whether lab-grown neurons are less mature, like "infant" neurons, and may lack some receptors. The "perfect" neuron for computation is an open research question.