Computer chips wired with nerve cells

Credit: Minrui Yu

Scientists at the University of Michigan have created a network of nerve cells connected through nanoscale tubes layered with silicon and germanium. The tubes are big enough for the nerve cell extensions to crawl through but are too small for the main body, when placed next to the tubes the cells sought each other out through the tubes.

“Neurons left to their own devices will kind of glom on to one another or connect randomly to other cells,” says biomedical engineer Justin Williams, the researcher leading the team. “They seem to like the tubes.”

What’s not known is if the cells are communicating over the connections made. The researchers plan to get voltage sensors into the tubes so they eavesdrop on the cells. The research could also give a good understanding how healthy neurons communicate to each other compared to diseased ones, or to study the effects of drugs on the neurons, leading to better research in multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.

In the long term such a system may lead to brain-computer interfaces that seamlessly integrate artificial limbs or other prosthetic devices.

Full story from Science News