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RandomFactor writes:

Science Daily reports on a new study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports that details how researchers have created a hybrid neural network allowing both biological and artificial neurons to communicate across the internet.

During the study, researchers based at the University of Padova in Italy cultivated rat neurons in their laboratory, whilst partners from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich created artificial neurons on Silicon microchips. The virtual laboratory was brought together via an elaborate setup controlling nanoelectronic synapses developed at the University of Southampton. These synaptic devices are known as memristors.

The Southampton based researchers captured spiking events being sent over the internet from the biological neurons in Italy and then distributed them to the memristive synapses. Responses were then sent onward to the artificial neurons in Zurich also in the form of spiking activity. The process simultaneously works in reverse too; from Zurich to Padova. Thus, artificial and biological neurons were able to communicate bidirectionally and in real time

According to Themis Prodromakis, Professor of Nanotechnology and Director of the Centre for Electronics Frontiers at the University of Southampton,

"We are very excited with this new development. On one side it sets the basis for a novel scenario that was never encountered during natural evolution, where biological and artificial neurons are linked together and communicate across global networks; laying the foundations for the Internet of Neuro-electronics. On the other hand, it brings new prospects to neuroprosthetic technologies, paving the way towards research into replacing dysfunctional parts of the brain with AI chips."

Article Reference
University of Southampton. (2020, February 26). New study allows brain and artificial neurons to link up over the web. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 1, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200226110843.htm

Journal Reference:
Alexantrou Serb, Andrea Corna, Richard George, Ali Khiat, Federico Rocchi, Marco Reato, Marta Maschietto, Christian Mayr, Giacomo Indiveri, Stefano Vassanelli, Themistoklis Prodromakis. Memristive synapses connect brain and silicon spiking neurons. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58831-9

[Ed. Note - Original article from the University of Southampton can be found here.]

Original Submission