Singapore researchers unveil biological data center using human neurons

Researchers in Singapore have unveiled a prototype for a “biological data center” that integrates living human neurons with conventional silicon electronics. Developed by the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in collaboration with Cortical Labs and DayOne, the system utilizes a 20-unit biological computing rack known as the CL1.

The technology, often referred to as “wetware,” uses human neurons derived from reprogrammed donor skin or blood cells. These stem cells are differentiated into neurons and grown on specialized hardware. To maintain viability, the neural cultures are kept in a controlled environment with life-support systems that provide nutrients and sterile conditions, allowing the cells to remain functional for approximately six months.

Microelectrodes are used to stimulate the neurons and record their electrical responses, which software then converts into data for conventional computers. The primary motivation for this research is energy efficiency, as the human brain operates on significantly less power than traditional semiconductor-based systems. While currently a research platform rather than a replacement for standard data centers, the project aims to explore applications in neuro-inspired AI, drug discovery, biomedical research, and cybersecurity.