Artificial neurons successfully communicate with living brain cells

Northwestern engineers create printed artificial neurons that successfully 'talk' to living brain cells, bridging a critical gap in bioelectronics. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Artificial neurons successfully communicate with living brain cells

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In a development that blurs the line between biology and machine, engineers at Northwestern University have successfully printed artificial neurons capable of direct, functional communication with living brain cells. The breakthrough, demonstrated using mouse brain tissue, involves flexible, low-cost devices that generate precise electrical signals to activate biological neurons. This achievement marks a significant step toward seamlessly integrating electronic systems with the complex circuitry of the human brain. The core innovation lies in the artificial neurons' ability to mimic the natural electrical language of the nervous system. Unlike conventional rigid electronics, these devices are soft and biocompatible, created using advanced printing techniques. They produce signals that are not just electrical noise but are specifically tailored to be recognized and processed by living neural tissue. In laboratory experiments, these printed neurons successfully triggered responses in mouse hippocampal neurons, proving a two-way communicative link where synthetic output elicited biological activity. This research addresses a long-standing bottleneck in neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces: the hostile divide between silicon and cell. Traditional implants often provoke scar tissue formation and signal degradation over time because their rigid, foreign materials clash with the brain's soft, dynamic environment. By creating devices that are both physically flexible and capable of 'speaking' the brain's native electrochemical dialect, the Northwestern team has potentially paved the way for more stable and effective neural implants. The low-cost fabrication method further suggests a path toward scalable clinical applications. The implications for future medicine are profound. Successful integration of such biohybrid systems could revolutionize treatments for neurological disorders and injuries. Devices built with these artificial neurons could one day bypass damaged spinal cord pathways to restore movement, replace lost function in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, or provide precise, adaptive stimulation for conditions such as...

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Categoria: cronaca