A revolutionary perspective on life itself—viewing each cell as an extraordinarily sophisticated computer
Imagine a computer so advanced that it can self-assemble, self-repair, and even create perfect copies of itself—all while consuming less power than a tiny light bulb. This isn't a futuristic machine from science fiction but a remarkable biological reality: the living cell. In his groundbreaking book Wetware: A Computer in Every Living Cell, cell biologist Dennis Bray proposes a revolutionary way to understand life itself—by viewing each cell as an extraordinarily sophisticated computer 1 6 .
This concept of "wetware" represents a fundamental shift in how we comprehend biological systems. Unlike the hardware and software of conventional computers, wetware describes the computational properties of living systems—the biochemical and electrical processes that allow cells to process information, make decisions, and execute complex behaviors 2 . From a single amoeba hunting its prey to the trillions of cells coordinating within our bodies, wetware reveals that computation isn't just something life does—it's fundamental to what life is 6 .
Cells build and maintain their own components
Cells process complex environmental data
Biological systems operate on minimal power
At the heart of Bray's wetware concept lies a fascinating parallel: the components of biological cells function much like the elements of electronic computers 1 . In this framework, enzymes serve as biological transistors—the fundamental switching elements that process information. Just as transistors control the flow of electricity, enzymes change their shape and activity in response to molecular signals, effectively performing logical operations that guide cellular behavior 1 .
These molecular components form sophisticated biological circuits that allow cells to sense their environment, process this information, and generate appropriate responses 1 . Consider the humble E. coli bacterium: when it detects no glucose but available lactose in its environment, it activates specific genetic pathways to produce digestive enzymes—a perfect example of biological "if-then" logic in action 1 .
Visualization of how cellular components perform logical operations similar to electronic circuits.
| Attribute | Conventional Computers | Biological Wetware |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental components | Transistors, silicon chips | Enzymes, proteins, DNA |
| Information representation | Binary (0s and 1s) | Chemical concentrations, electrical signals |
| Connectivity | Fixed wires | Diffusion, dynamic molecular interactions |
| Adaptability | Limited, requires reprogramming | Continuous self-optimization |
| Energy consumption | Relatively high | Extremely efficient |
While the computer metaphor provides powerful insights, biological wetware possesses extraordinary capabilities that dwarf even the most advanced supercomputers:
Unlike fixed computer circuits, cellular pathways constantly reorganize themselves in response to changing conditions 2 .
Cells build, maintain, and repair their own components—capabilities engineers can only dream of implementing in silicon 1 .
The human brain performs computations using roughly 20 watts of power—far less than the energy requirements of artificial intelligence systems 5 .
Perhaps most remarkably, the "hardware" and "software" in biological systems are inseparably intertwined 4 . While you can run the same program on different computers, a cell's physical structure and its information processing capabilities emerge together through continuous biochemical interactions 2 .
The theoretical concept of wetware has inspired tangible experiments that blur the line between biology and technology. At Switzerland's FinalSpark lab, researchers have created functional biocomputers using clusters of human neurons called organoids—often described as "mini-brains" in popular science 3 .
The process begins with stem cells derived from human skin cells, which are cultured over several months to form neural organoids—small white spheres about 500 micrometers in diameter containing functioning neurons and supporting cells 3 5 . These organoids are then placed on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) that allow researchers to send and receive electrical signals, effectively creating a simple biological computer interface 5 .
Biological engineer William Ditto and his team created a simple neurocomputer from leech neurons capable of performing basic addition 2 .
Australian firm Cortical Labs successfully taught artificial neurons to play the classic video game Pong 3 .
| Tool/Technology | Function | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) | Interface for electrical communication with neurons | Allows sending and receiving signals from biological neural networks |
| Stem cell technology | Source material for creating neural organoids | Enables generation of human neurons without direct tissue donation |
| Microfluidic systems | Automated delivery of nutrients to organoids | Maintains long-term viability of living computers |
| Dynamic clamp | Computer program that reads and manipulates neuronal electrical activity | Bridges biological and digital computing domains |
One of the most advanced platforms for wetware research is the open-access Neuroplatform developed by an international research consortium. This innovative system allows scientists worldwide to conduct remote experiments on brain organoids, dramatically accelerating research in biological computing 5 .
The platform's technical specifications reveal the sophistication of modern wetware research:
This infrastructure supports complex 24/7 experiments, including closed-loop strategies where stimulation patterns adapt based on the organoids' prior responses—a crucial step toward programming biological neural networks 5 .
The Neuroplatform enables remote experimentation through a dedicated Application Programming Interface (API) that allows scientists to conduct experiments via Python libraries or Jupyter Notebooks from anywhere in the world 5 .
The growing interest in wetware computing isn't merely academic—it's driven by pressing practical concerns about the energy demands of conventional computing.
As with any transformative technology, wetware computing raises profound ethical questions. The creation of "mini-brains" that respond to stimuli and show spontaneous activity forces us to confront difficult questions about consciousness and the moral status of these biological constructs 3 .
Researchers have even observed unusual activity spikes in organoids as they die—reminiscent of the increased brain activity sometimes seen in humans at end-of-life—adding another layer of ethical complexity 3 .
Wetware computing should "complement—not replace—silicon AI"
This balanced approach recognizes both the potential and limitations of biological computing while advancing multiple fields simultaneously, from disease modeling to energy-efficient information processing.
The exploration of wetware represents more than just a new technology—it's a fundamental reimagining of the relationship between life and computation. From Dennis Bray's insight that every cell embodies computational principles to the organoid intelligence experiments happening in labs today, wetware challenges our most basic assumptions about what computers are and what they might become.
"When you start to say, 'I'm going to use a neuron like a little machine', it's a different view of our own brain and it makes you question what we are."
As we stand at this frontier between biology and technology, we're not just building new computing devices—we're learning to collaborate with life's own computational systems. The wetware revolution reminds us that some of the most sophisticated computers weren't built in clean rooms but evolved through billions of years of natural selection, and they're operating in every living thing around us—and within us.
As research progresses, the question of what we are may prove to be the most important computation of all.