Human brains are slower than computers at certain tasks, such as arithmetic. However, brains surpass computers in processing complex information and deal better with fewer and/or uncertain data, such as decision-making on large, incomplete and highly heterogeneous datasets. Further, brains have much lower energy consumption compared to computers. Therefore, brain-like computing (biocomputing) offers potential for building ultra-energy-efficient, highly adaptive learning systems.

Biocomputing has recently been initiated utilising lab-grown 3D human brain tissues (including organoids) to process information. Stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are cultured and reprogrammed to grow into organoids: miniatured and functional clusters of neurons. These clusters are placed onto multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) that transmit and receive electrical signals and can help neurons to "learn" tasks.

In this project, we propose to combine 3D neural tissue engineering with biocomputing. Human iPSCs will be differentiated into neurons and glial cells which will be 3D printed and matured during in-vitro culture to generate structurally defined and functional neural tissues. These tissues will be placed on MEAs for electrical stimulation and recording to examine how electrical signal/information leads to structural (e.g. axon formation and synaptic connections) and functional (e.g. calcium activities and neural maturation) changes in the 3D neural tissues. We will also test how electrical training affects neural network connectivity and activity as a ‘learning’ process. Mechanisms involved in these processes will be investigated using molecular biology tools.

The Tissue Engineering Group at Materials and Devices for Life Sciences (MDLS) focus on developing functional 3D human tissues using stem cells for disease modelling, implantation and biocomputing. We have developed droplet 3D-printing and microfluidic techniques for the construction of defined 3D tissues, including neural and cardiac tissues.

We welcome candidates with biology, biophysics, electrophysiology and engineering backgrounds. DPhil researchers will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team engaged in cell biology, biophysics, biochemistry, and device and tissue engineering.