Brain cells grown in the laboratory play the classic “Pong”

A team of researchers from Australia has grown brain cells in a laboratory that are able to play the classic game “Pong”. The researchers speak of “mini-brains” that can perceive their environment and react to it.

According to the Biotech startups “Cortical Labs” show the in a petri dish cultivated brain cells a certain intelligence. After all, their behavior has changed over time. This works out from an article of the specialist journal “Neuron”.

The biotech startup also has a short clip published for the experiment. It shows how the bar of the classic game “Pong” from the 1970s is moved automatically – controlled by a large number of neurons.

Gameplay understood in five minutes

In total, the Australian researchers grew 800,000 neurons. These were either from embryonic mouse brains or from human stem cells. The neuronal signals were recorded and emitted using a plate.

According to scientist Brett Kagan, it took the cells just five minutes to understand the gameplay of Pong. Over time, the neurons have even become more and more skilful, Kagan continues. Next, the researchers want to try to get the cells drunk. So you want to check whether alcohol has an impact on playing in “Pong”.