A consortium consisting of data center operator DayOne, the Australian company Cortical Labs, and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore has unveiled a biological computing prototype running on living human neurons.
The system is located at the National University of Singapore's Life Sciences Institute. It includes 20 CL1 biological computing modules and, according to the partners, is the world's first self-contained, biologically integrated server rack.
During the demonstration, integration with a microelectrode array and real-time monitoring of neural network activity were shown. The project is operating in a real research environment, rather than just as a laboratory experiment.
How the "wetware" works
Biological computing, also called "wetware," uses living neurons derived from human stem cells, which are grown on a silicon chip with electrodes. The hardware sends electrical signals to the cells, reads their responses, and converts the neural activity into a computational result.
The neurons are not a passive element in the system. They receive signals, react to them, and can adapt over time. An integrated life-support system provides a nutrient solution, temperature control, gas mixture, and waste filtration.
Each CL1 module uses approximately 30 watts of electricity. Living neuronal cultures can remain viable for up to six months, after which they must be replaced under sterile conditions.
"By growing living human neurons from stem cells and combining them with precision engineering, we are not just building a more efficient alternative to silicon. We are creating a platform that can help us understand learning and adaptation at their biological source," said Professor Rickie Patani of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
Path from experiment to service
Four years ago, Cortical Labs demonstrated the "DishBrain" system, where neurons learned to interact with a computer version of the game "Pong." The CL1 unveiled in Singapore is the next stage in the development of the technology and moves the project toward practical application.
The CL1 has been commercially available since 2025 at a price of 35,000 USD per unit. Access to its computing capacity is also offered via a "Wetware-as-a-Service" cloud model for 2,200 USD per month.
DayOne and Cortical Labs are exploring the possibility of a phased rollout of up to 1,000 units at a future facility of the operator in Singapore. Such an expansion will depend on technical trials, energy efficiency assessments, safety requirements, and the receipt of regulatory approvals.
The first DayOne data center in Singapore – "SG1" – reached the "shell and core" stage in May 2026 and is expected to become operational in early 2027.
Low power, limited tasks
The project aligns with Singapore's push for more energy-efficient data centers, especially with the growing power consumption of artificial intelligence systems. The technology's creators present biological computing as a complement, rather than an immediate replacement for traditional data centers.
According to Cortical Labs founder and CEO Hon Weng Chong, the prototype "shifts the conversation from research to commercial application." He points out that biological computing can complement artificial intelligence "where data is sparse, enabling learning with a much smaller volume of information and adaptation when conditions change."
Among the applications being considered are drug development, research into neurological diseases, humanoid robotics, and cybersecurity. The technology is still in an early stage and is not intended to replace universal silicon processors for all computational tasks.