Scientists have developed the first bio-realistic artificial neuron which can interact effectively with real biological neurons.
The development of artificial intelligence has been going on for a long time, but it remains a burning subject today. A computer algorithm “learns” examples and determines its correct and incorrect responses. Unlike a computer algorithm, the human brain works with neurons – brain cells. They learn and transmit signals to other neurons. This complex network of neurons, tracks and synapses controls our thoughts and actions.
Biological signals are much more diverse than ordinary IT signals. Neurons in a biological neural network interact with the biochemical environment. More specifically, the neurons “communicate” chemically, by releasing messenger substances, that is to say with the help of electrical pulses.
The effective functioning of artificial neurons is the key to the development of neuromorphic electronics. Artificial neurons must realistically simulate the function of their biological counterparts and process the full range of signals that exist in biology.
Currently, the biggest problem is the inability of these neurons to work in a biological environment, which considerably limits their capacities. Many variations in artificial organic neurons have been created on the basis of generators of conventional circuits. They electrically imitate their organic counterparts, but do not take into account the humid biological environment, which consists of ions, biomolecules and neurotransmitters.
The scientists led by Paschalis Gkoupidenis, leader of the group of the department of Paul Blom at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, solved this problem and developed the first bio-realist artificial neuron based on a compact non-linear electrochemical element. The artificial neuron can operate in a liquid and is sensitive to the concentration of biological substances (such as dopamine or ions) in its environment. It can generate different impulse dynamics that exist in biology. Consequently, these artificial neurons will be able to “communicate” with their real biological counterparts.
According to the Gkoupidenis, such an artificial element can become the key to bio-realistic neuroprostheses which will communicate in the same language as biology, allowing to restore, replace or even effectively replace the functions of the nervous system.
An organic artificial neuron (OAN) is created from a compact non -linear element composed of only two organic electrochemical transistors (OECTS). They operate in an aqueous environment and are sensitive to ionic particles and polyatomical ions. The oan demonstrates key characteristics observed in the maximum response of biological neurons. The oan works in a liquid, and this property resembles the extracellular environment of biological neurons in the cerebrospinal fluid. The excitability of the Oan, that is to say the trend of the neuron to draw points, can be modulated by the presence of electrochemical oscillations transmitted by the flow of ions in the electrolytic environment. The electrochemical oscillations of the liquid form the oan activation properties, imitating the characteristics of biological neurons. As already mentioned, Oan is designed on the basis of a non -linear electrochemical element. Like biological neurons that work in a wet environment, Oan can imitate biological sensitivity to ionic and biomolecular particles in the surrounding aqueous environment. The artificial neuron demonstrates non -linear phenomena which depend on the composition of the biophystically significant host environment. Scientists have experimentally confirmed its functioning with different electrolytes, including common aqueous electrolytes, buffer solutions and cell culture environments. They also created biohybrid interfaces in which Oan was modulated by the biological membrane of epithelial cells in real time.
Consequently, scientists have succeeded in creating an artificial neuron which behaves in a realistic way and which is capable of communicating in biological environments in different ways, including chemically or by carriers of ionic charges.
Read the published research document here.
