Half Man, Half Machine

Scientists have successfully fused neurons (brain cells) to computer chips. This fusion is not merely a physical bond but also a functional one. The microchip was able to record signals sent from the neurons and capacitors on the microchip in turn, stimulated the neurons.

This work is fascinating. The possibilities that immediately come to mind are the possible uses of this technology for people with spinal cord injuries (re-establishing severed neuronal pathways) and alzheimers (substituting for dead or non-functional dopamanine producing neuronal cells in the region of the brain called the substantia nigra).