A groundbreaking new computer that merges traditional silicon hardware with living human neurons is now commercially available. The CL1, developed by Melbourne-based startup Cortical Labs, launched on March 2 and is marketed as the world’s first code-deployable biological computer.
Housed in a device roughly the size of a shoebox, the CL1 integrates lab-grown neurons nourished in a nutrient solution, layered across a silicon chip. The chip communicates with the neurons via electrical pulses, enabling them to learn and respond. An earlier prototype, DishBrain, famously learned to play Pong using this method.
According to Chief Scientific Officer Brett Kagan, the system includes a life-support mechanism with waste filtration, gas control, and pumps to keep the environment optimal. The CL1 runs on just a few watts of power and can sustain neurons for up to six months.
These devices have potential applications in drug development and neurological research, where conventional methods often fail due to the brain’s complexity. By simulating brain-like learning and responses, the CL1 could help scientists better understand neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.
However, the use of living neurons has raised ethical questions. Some experts worry about the implications of synthetic biological intelligence, even though CL1 is far from achieving human-level consciousness. Stem cell researcher Silvia Velasco stresses that while current concerns may be premature, ongoing ethical oversight is essential.
Each CL1 unit costs around $35,000 and will be more widely available in late 2025, with cloud-based options offered for labs without the proper infrastructure.
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