Replacement of Damaged Nerve Cells with Computer Chips

This article discusses the use of silicon computer chips to direct the growth of neurons and other types of tissue. Being able to create a "scaffold" for tissue growth could allow for big advances in prosthetics as well as making replacement organs. The research being conducted now is aimed at influencing neurons to grow in a desired pattern. This technique could be used to make replacement nerve tissue.

"It is hoped the method will eventually enable any type of tissue to be grown on a tailor-made pathway and implanted as prosthetic tissue in the body."

"We also hope that, rather sooner than this, the technique will allow better methods of drug discovery and reduce the need for animal testing, as new medicines could be tested on chips rather than in live creatures."

This implication presents even another application of the influenced growth. Different tissue samples could be grown and there responses to external factors within a highly controllable environment could allow for faster testing of drugs and other treatments.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7867724.stm