Recent advancements in organoid intelligence (OI) have emerged from a collaboration between Tianjin University’s Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Computer Integration and the Southern University of Science and Technology.
Their groundbreaking work involves a novel “open-source brain-on-chip intelligent complex information interaction system,” or MetaBOC. This system could revolutionize human brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and potentially aid in repairing neurological damage.
The MetaBOC system integrates brain-like tissue organoids with an electrode chip capable of interpreting external electrical signals. This setup allows the chip to control robotic systems, such as guiding them through environments and performing tasks like gripping objects. The key innovation here is the incorporation of machine learning algorithms into the organoid-enhanced neural computing network, advancing the field of “hybrid intelligence.”
Ming Dong, vice president of Tianjin University and executive director at the Haihe Laboratory, highlighted that the MetaBOC chip enables interaction with the external environment through encoding, decoding, and stimulation-feedback processes. Although the current models, such as the robot equipped with a Silly Putty-like organoid, are still in experimental stages, they represent early steps towards more sophisticated OI systems.
However, challenges remain, including issues with developmental maturity and nutrient supply for the organoids. Despite these hurdles, there is optimism that brain organoids could one day aid in restoring brain functionality for individuals with neurological conditions. Recent research published in Brain suggests that low-frequency ultrasound waves could stimulate neural network growth in organoids, offering a potential non-invasive method for integrating these tissues into human brains in the future.