Data Stored in Live Neurons

Light Licker writes "Israeli researchers have created artificial memories for the first time — in a tangle of neurons growing in the lab. Using a specific chemical they could add to the pattern of impulses in a network of the nerve cells. 'Many believe that complex patterns of neuronal firing are templates for memory, which the brain uses when storing information. Imprinting such "memories" on artificial neural networks provides a potential way to develop cyborg chips, says Ben-Jacob. These would be useful for monitoring biological systems like the brain and blood since, being human, they would respond to the same chemicals.' The new pattern lasted two days — good enough for biological RAM?"

Minor problem

[Zironic]

Then there's just the minor problem of figuring out what pattern means what. Personally I think I prefer the idea of connecting people to external computerized memory then messing with the neural one. Brainwashing anyone?

Re:Obligatory

[Anonymous Coward]

> I for one welcome our neuronal impulse driven overlords.

That definition seems also include me (average mammal walking on hindlegs without slashdot account)?

Re:First non-SF use for the word "cyborg"?

[slashdotmsiriv]

"When early man first discovered that a wheel could roll down a hill, how much closer did it bring them to modern day technology used in cars?"

When the early 20th century man first discovered controlled flight, how much closer did it bring them to the Boeing 747's and the Apollo program?
When early 20th century man first discovered computational models, how much closer did it bring them to .... and so on ...

Your argument is invalid