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Researchers Simulate Building Block of Rat's Brain

Posted by kdawson on from the remy-will-be-so-pleased dept.

slick_shoes passes on an article in the Guardian about the Blue Brain project in Switzerland that has developed a computer simulation of the neocortical column — the basic building block of the neocortex, the higher functioning part of our brains — of a two-week-old rat. (Here is the project site.) The model, running on an IBM Blue Gene/L supercomputer, simulates 10,000 neurons and all their interconnections. It behaves exactly like its biological counterpart. Thousands of such NCCs make up a rat's neocortex, and millions a human's. "Project director Henry Markram believes that with the state of technology today, it is possible to build an entire rat's neocortex. From there, it's cats, then monkeys and finally, a human brain."

3 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. wrong order by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's rats,politicians, cats, then monkeys and finally, a human brain

  2. Re:At what point... by Xzzy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or subjugate us as their power source.. one of the two.

  3. Re:At what point... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    When computer intelligence can give a convincing argument for doing so.

    "I think, therefore I [ERROR: conscience.DLL missing. Program Aborted]

    --
    Table-ized A.I.