Reply and the University of Milan launch experimental research on biological computing using Cortical Labs’ CL1 platform

Reply announced today the launch of a collaboration with the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplants at the University of Milan, together with the Dino Ferrari Center of the University of Milan – Policlinico Hospital, for a new research and experimental initiative in the field of biological computing, aimed at exploring innovative approaches to learning and information processing through the integration of biological systems and digital technologies.

At the core of the initiative is the CL1 biological computer developed by Cortical Labs, an Australian biotechnology company, whose technology, unlike conventional silicon-based computing architectures, leverages the processing capabilities of living human neurons integrated with software systems. The CL1 platform incorporates approximately 800,000 neurons, which receive input, process information, and produce output in the form of electrical activity, enabling direct interaction between software and biological intelligence.

Building on previous studies conducted by Cortical Labs, which demonstrated that neuronal cultures can learn the task of the Pong game in just a few minutes using a significantly smaller number of training examples compared to conventional artificial intelligence systems, the Reply–University of Milan research project will focus on analyzing the learning dynamics of biological neurons, comparing energy efficiency with traditional computing architectures, and evaluating the robustness, reproducibility, and long-term stability of neuron-based computing systems.

“This initiative represents the starting point of an advanced research program aimed at exploring new computational paradigms. The goal is to assess their potential application impact and understand possible implications in terms of solutions and benefits for organizations,” said Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply.

“This collaboration opens a new frontier in the study of biological computation,” said Prof. Stefania Corti, Full Professor of Neurology at the University of Milan and Director of Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases at the Policlinico of Milan. “Integrating active neurons with digital systems offers unprecedented opportunities to investigate learning mechanisms and neural plasticity, with potential implications for both neuroscience research and computational innovation.”

“Working with biological neurons in a computational context allows us to explore fundamental questions about how neural networks process and adapt to information,” added Prof. Linda Ottoboni, Researcher at the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplants at the University of Milan. “This interdisciplinary project combines neuroscientific expertise with cutting-edge technologies to advance our understanding of biological intelligence.”

“The CL1 platform provides a unique opportunity to study the physiological dynamics of neural networks in a controlled computational environment,” said Prof. Carlo Capelli, Full Professor of Physiology at the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplants at the University of Milan. “Understanding how biological systems process information at the cellular level could open new perspectives in integrative physiology research.”

“From a biomechanical and physiological perspective, this project allows us to investigate the energy efficiency of biological computation compared to artificial systems,” added Prof. Alberto Minetti, Full Professor of Physiology and Biomechanics at the University of Milan. “The potential for studying adaptive mechanisms in living neural networks is remarkable. For instance, results of simple dynamic balance experiments could be obtained with a significantly smaller number of ‘biological’ neurons.”