Researchers in Singapore have introduced a biological data center prototype that processes information using living human neurons instead of relying entirely on traditional silicon based processors. The project was launched by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) in collaboration with data center developer DayOne and biological computing startup Cortical Labs. Established at the NUS Life Sciences Institute, the Biological Data Centre combines biological computing with conventional digital infrastructure to explore new approaches to data processing. The facility consists of 20 CL1 biological computing units containing a combined total of approximately 16 million lab grown human neurons, representing a significant step in the development of biologically integrated computing systems.
At the core of the prototype is the CL1 biological computing unit, described as the world’s first commercial code deployable biological computer. Each CL1 unit is powered by approximately 800,000 human brain cells that have been grown in a laboratory from stem cells. Unlike conventional computing systems that rely solely on silicon chips and central processing units to execute workloads, biological computing introduces living neurons, often referred to as wetware, into the computing process. These neurons are connected to computing hardware through microelectrode arrays, allowing electrical signals to pass between biological cells and digital systems. This interaction enables the biological components and traditional computing hardware to communicate, creating a hybrid computing environment designed to process information in a different way from existing data center architectures. According to the researchers, the Biological Data Centre serves as the world’s first independently operated biologically integrated server rack, bringing together multiple biological computing units within a dedicated infrastructure environment.
Rickie Patani, Professor of Neuroscience at NUS Medicine, said the collaboration reflects a new way of thinking about computing and its scientific applications. He noted that bringing together expertise from academic research, biological computing, and data center infrastructure has enabled the development of a system that combines living neurons with advanced computing technologies. The project is the result of a partnership between NUS Medicine, DayOne, and Cortical Labs, with each organization contributing expertise in neuroscience, infrastructure, and biological computing respectively. By establishing the Biological Data Centre at the NUS Life Sciences Institute, the partners aim to provide a platform for studying how biological systems can be integrated into computing environments while supporting further research into alternative processing technologies. The initiative also demonstrates how biological computing can move beyond laboratory research into dedicated computing infrastructure capable of running code on commercially available biological computing units.
Traditional data centers continue to rely on silicon processors and general purpose CPUs to support cloud computing, web hosting, database storage, and other digital workloads while using conventional air cooling systems to maintain performance. The biological computing approach demonstrated by the Singapore researchers differs by incorporating living neurons into the processing environment while maintaining digital hardware interfaces that allow communication between biological and electronic components. The project does not replace existing data center technology but instead explores how biological computing may complement conventional computing methods in future research and development. Through the establishment of the Biological Data Centre, the research team has created a platform for investigating the capabilities of neuron based processing while expanding scientific understanding of biologically integrated computing systems and their potential applications in advanced computing infrastructure.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
