Neuron computer CL1 from the Australian start-up Cortical Labs. Cortical Labs
Germany will present the world’s first code-deployable biological computer, no larger than a shoebox, at a first-class networking summit dedicated to the future of biointelligent value creation.
The neuron-based system, CL1, is based on DishBrain, an experimental platform by Australian startup Cortical Labs that utilizes a multi-electrode array (MEA) to embed living neurons into a virtual Pong game.
DishBrain connected 800,000 human and mouse neurons to a microelectrode platform, allowing the cells to interact and perform goal-directed tasks in real-time. CL1, on the other hand, integrates an equal number of human neurons with silicon chips to create what’s known as a synthetic biological intelligence system.
According to Brett Kagan, Cortical Labs’ CEO and one of the key developers of CL1, the system is the first biological computer enabling medical and research labs to test how real neurons process information.
Next month, it will be showcased at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation’s (Fraunhofer IPA) upcoming Biointelligence Summit in Stuttgart, Germany.
Living cells go digital
Unlike traditional processors, the CL1 combines living neurons with a silicon chip and harnesses their ability to adapt, learn, reorganize, and respond dynamically to their environment.
Inside the CL1, the human neurons are sustained in a nutrient-rich solution as they grow over a silicon chip. The chip delivers electrical impulses to and from the neurons and trains them to perform specific tasks.
The Australian startup used a similar setup to teach DishBrain, CL1’s predecessor, to play Pong, one of the first computer games ever created.
“The perfusion circuit component acts as a life support system for the cells – it has filtration for waste products, temperature control, gas mixing, and pumps to keep everything circulating,” Kagan told News Atlas.
The CL1 computers are expected to be available in the second half of 2025. Each unit is expected to cost around USD 35,000, uses 850-1,000 watts (W) of energy, and doesn’t require an external computer to operate.
According to Cortical Labs, the system could be used in disease modeling and drug discovery, as well as adaptive robotics and pharmaceutical research, before the neurons expire after about six months.
Biointelligence in real time
The CL1 biocomputer represents a revolutionary step in computing, combining human neurons with advanced AI processing. Its efficiency, adaptability, and research potential could transform AI development and neuroscience.
It will now be displayed at the Fraunhofer IPA’s Biointelligence Summit. This event focuses on the latest news and innovations at the intersection of biology, technology, and computer science for the development of bio-based production systems.
“It’s sensational that we can present the neuron-based computer CL1 here in Germany for the first time,” Robert Miehe, PhD, head of department at Fraunhofer IPA, explained.
The summit provides a unique platform for companies seeking to integrate biointelligent solutions into their processes, tackle technical challenges in life sciences, or explore new biology applications in manufacturing.
“We’re especially excited to have Kagan introduce this groundbreaking device in person,” Miehe said in a press release. Visitors can see the system at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center between 1 pm and 6 pm on October 7.
