A development by engineers at the University of Massachusetts has shown that synthetic neurons can integrate into biological networks. This is a step toward creating brain-machine interfaces.
Engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have achieved a scientific breakthrough: they have developed an artificial neuron that behaves almost exactly like a real one. This device not only reproduces the brain’s electrical impulses but is also capable of interacting with living cells, “understanding” their signals.
The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, paves the way for a new generation of neurotechnologies. According to lead author, graduate student Shuai Fu, the human brain is capable of processing vast amounts of data with minimal energy consumption—and engineers now aim to transfer this principle to artificial systems.
The key innovation was the use of protein nanowires, created from the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, which is capable of producing electricity. These nanostructures allowed for the creation of a synthetic neuron that can adapt, respond to changes, and maintain the natural rhythm of signals characteristic of living cells.
Especially impressive was the fact that the artificial neuron was able to connect to real cells and begin signal exchange. The brain “accepted” it as part of its own network. This opens up prospects for medicine—in the future, such devices could replace damaged parts of the nervous system and help people restore lost functions.
The scientists note that the technology’s potential extends far beyond neuromedicine. Artificial neurons could form the basis of new generations of computing systems operating on biological principles. Such computers would be faster, more efficient, and closer in architecture to the human brain.
According to the researchers, this is only the beginning of a long journey, but it is already clear that science has come closer to creating machines capable of thinking and communicating in the very “language” of the brain.
