[seydor]

i would urge people to read the paper instead. The 'learning' is a bit iffy , and this was meant to test the brain theory of Friston rather than plug neurons into pong. Still, great job on the neurotechnology involved and a step in the direction where we should be going, controlling large numbers of neurons

Ars Technica has a better article, although they dont describe the dense electode array correctly: https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/10/a-dish-of-neurons-ma...

[nier]

For those who like me are wondering where those neurons come from. An answer can be found in the Ars Technica article:

“[...] the researchers tested two types of neurons: some dissected from mouse embryos, and others produced by inducing human stem cells to form neurons. ”

[dillondoyle]

Finally a sliver of future I'm psyched about. Induce stem cells to form neurons? Next step induce new neurons to form new connections in existing brain!?

[fragmede]

That would be cool, though current research on adult neurogenesis says we keep getting new neurons throughout life anyway

[dillondoyle]

Interesting!

Basically all the men on my dad's side die of alzheimer's, so any neuroprotective, regenerative, or some more accurate verb to stop or reverse function loss is super fascinating to me. Others as well.

Plus who wouldn't want to get just a bit smarter or help get that youthful memory back; can't be the only one who is foggier ;)

[moffkalast]

Yes but given that mouse neurons were used as a base, you now have a strong craving for cheese.

[olalonde]

Fun fact: mice do not particularly like cheese[0].

[0] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/531921...

[dillondoyle]

:)

It would be so cool if we can get a grasp on memory, epigenetics and all the other science I don't understand.

Because that doesn't seem so far fetched! if mice do in fact have a biological 'need for cheese' - the sequel

[pier25]

Mice prefer grain based stuff like tortilla, bread, or peanut butter.

[squarefoot]

...and cables.

[austinjp]

Genuine question: why "should" we be going in this direction?

[rongopo]

Is curiosity a good answer for you? For me it is.

[EricMausler]

To fight neurodegenerative diseases

[austinjp]

Except the lab doing this make no mention of treating disease. They want to "shortcut machine learning" by using living tissue to perform tasks: https://corticallabs.com/

[EricMausler]

Well they sound like mad scientists. Hopefully The research is still helpful for medical advancements

[seydor]

because it's bottom-up, as opposed to mouse studies that impose our own ideas and record from a tiny fraction of brain cells

[serf]

post-apocalyptic horrible scenarios aside, there are plenty of therapeutic reasons why it would be nice to have neuron-level control of brain tissue.

[moffkalast]

Because we can, and if we don't someone less ethical will.

[trgn]

"if we don't someone less ethical will."

But they still will, why wouldn't they if supposed ethical researchers do as well. I've heard this sort of argument before, and I understand the reasoning behind it.

[eli_gottlieb]

We do what we must, because we can.