JMIR Publications today published a feature article on the emerging field of biocomputing in its News and Outlook section. “Biocomputing: Beyond the Hype,” written by science journalist Simon Spichak MA, explores how biotech companies such as Cortical Labs and FinalSpark are harnessing human brain cells into electrodes to perform computational functions and test the cells’ responses to electrical and chemical stimuli. To create a biocomputer, scientists grow organoids (in this case, tiny spheres of neural tissue) on top of multiple electrode arrays inside a hardware shell. This can be used for everything from testing drugs to playing video games.
Applications of biocomputer
Although biocomputing technology is still in its infancy, early potential applications are promising, Spichak reports. These uses include:
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Remote access for researchers: Both FinalSpark and Cortical Labs take a cloud approach to their product offerings, allowing researchers to remotely access biocomputing hardware to run experiments.
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Energy-efficient computing: Biocomputing consumes much less energy than artificial neural networks and other traditional computational models. It can also learn with far less data and more chaotic data compared to artificial intelligence, according to Dr. Brett Kagan, chief scientific officer at Cortical Labs and one of JMIR Publications’ expert sources.
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Drug discovery: Researchers are beginning to use biocomputing platforms to test the effects of different experimental drugs on learning in brain organoids.
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Neuromorphic engineering: Johns Hopkins University professor and expert source Thomas Hartung, MD, believes biocomputing technology could be used as a stepping stone to the development of neuromorphic systems (artificial neurons that mimic the structure and function of the human brain).
Potential bioethical risks
Scientists are taking a proactive approach to ethical concerns in biocomputing, consulting with bioethicists to address potential risks before they occur. “Brain organoids used for biocomputing raise similar concerns for stem cell and organoid research, including questions about moral status and subconscious development in more advanced models, informed consent from donors, commercialization, ownership, and patents,” Spichuk wrote.
The future of biocomputing
Currently, biocomputing is limited by the unpredictability of organoid activity, which complicates training. However, as researchers learn more about this nascent field, biocomputing has the potential to have a major impact on biomedical research.
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Reference magazines:
Spichak, S. (2026) Biocomputing: Beyond the Hype. Medical Internet Research Journal. DOI: 10.2196/100949. https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e100949
