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?"

Pain

[Ignis Flatus]

taught new firing patterns to a network of neurons by targeting specific points of the network with a chemical called picrotoxin. The new patterns lasted for up to two days without harming the pre-existing firing patterns

or maybe they just caused an injury to the network that took 2 days to heal

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

[blind biker]

And quite pertinent, too.

On a very much related tangent, I hope this sort of research will lead to better interfaces between electronic "input devices" like digital cameras and microphones, and the brain itself. That would greatly improve the condition of blind and deaf people.

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

[wframe9109]

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?

Answer: Not very, if at all.

I invite you to sit in on a class discussing this topic (memory); we know so little it's almost entertaining.

Re:Minor problem

[andydread]

Another problem? TFA said the neurons will react like humans. Humans try to forget memories they don't like What if lab brain (the collection of neurons) decide that it doesn't like the memories that have been "washed" on to it.