Tiny chips designed to completely replace nerve cells

At Bath University (UK), researchers were able to create a miniature chip that fits on your fingertip. Its peculiarity is that it almost completely duplicates the work of human nerve cells. In the future, the creators plan to use such microcontrollers to restore the spinal cord and in the treatment of heart failure.

According to 4pda.ru, the priority area for the use of such cells was identified by bioelectronic devices and implants that can provide the necessary passage of neural impulses in the body, replacing damaged nerve cells.

“Until now, neurons for scientists have remained a kind of“ black box ”, which we only managed to open just now to understand the mechanism of its work. Our work allows us to fully repeat the mechanism of action of real neurons in the smallest details ”, - Alain Nogare, physicist of the University of Bath, co-author of the study.

The tiny chip has several subsections of memory that mimic the hippocampal neurons that are responsible for communication with the brain and respiration neurons. The chips are equipped with a number of synthetic ion channels, which are responsible for electrical impulses in real biological cells.

After conducting a series of studies in laboratory rats, scientists were able to successfully simulate the response of artificial nerve cells to biological ones. In the future, specialists plan to build a full-fledged nervous system that can help in the recovery of patients with spinal injuries, Alzheimer's disease and other disorders.