Science and Technology -Net Catalogue

Experts at Aston University in Birmingham, England, have created an artificial brain, which is a first in the history of mankind. The researchers started the project on the premise that the dreaded disease Alzheimer could be cured by developing an artificial brain. Now after the completion of the project, those involved in the work have claimed that the most basic unit of the brain has the ability to process, connect and communicate, which are also the fundamental capacities of a natural human brain. The scientists first collected cells from a cancerous tumor. Then the cells were reprogrammed to create cells identical to those found in human nervous system. They made some balls of cells simulating those normally present in the brain. To keep these cells alive, the researchers fed them every two days by injecting them with minerals and nutrients. These reprogrammed cells were finally used to create an artificial brain capable of processing thoughts, although at the most basic level. The scientists, as also the outside observers, have confirmed that the most basic unit of the artificial brain has displayed the ability of processing, connecting and communicating.

This new development has been viewed as a critical breakthrough for the treatment of conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Scientists have claimed that this cellular model can act as a useful research tool to understand how the brain functions. It is still very early days, but in the future, this interesting research could lead to a useful equipment for investigating dementia, Alzheimer’s and other such disorders.