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The first simulated cell is created; one more step towards brain emulation.

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Fri, 2012-07-20 09:49

Decivre

The first simulated cell is created; one more step towards brain emulation.

[url=http://gizmodo.com/5927666/first-ever-complete-computer-model-of-a-cell-... HAS BEGUN![/url] The single celled organism with the simplest gene structure has officially been simulated, meaning that we have essentially created the first digital life form emulation. Now all we need to do is create a simulation that can handle a gene structure hundreds of times more complex, and a cell structure trillions of times bigger. And we're on our way! :P

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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]

Fri, 2012-07-20 10:29

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: The first simulated cell is created; one more step ...

Ah, yeeeeeessssssss!!! :-) I have been waiting for this for a long while, ever since the Japanese E-cell project. Making this kind of thing involves a lot of grinding. But scaling things up is likely not quite as hard as getting it to work in the first place. Now we should just wait for our C elegans simulation: http://www.jefftk.com/news/2011-11-02.html

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Fri, 2012-07-20 10:48

Decivre

Re: The first simulated cell is created; one more step ...

I think the hardest part is going to be the next step. We've now simulated [i]intra[/i]cellular interactions, but we now have to simulate [i]inter[/i]cellular interaction. The difference might be immense. But damn this is exciting. We might see the first slower-than-realtime human emulation by the end of the decade! And if that's the case, I'd like to officially declare myself the first volunteer on this board. I'll even release my genetic code on a CC license if it's necessary. NOW DIGITIZE ME!!!

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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]

Fri, 2012-07-20 11:08

CodeBreaker CodeBreaker's picture

Re: The first simulated cell is created; one more step ...

Decivre wrote:
I think the hardest part is going to be the next step. We've now simulated [i]intra[/i]cellular interactions, but we now have to simulate [i]inter[/i]cellular interaction. The difference might be immense. But damn this is exciting. We might see the first slower-than-realtime human emulation by the end of the decade! And if that's the case, I'd like to officially declare myself the first volunteer on this board. I'll even release my genetic code on a CC license if it's necessary. NOW DIGITIZE ME!!!

Damnit. I call second.

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Fri, 2012-07-20 11:11

Anarhista

Re: The first simulated cell is created; one more step ...

The future is coming... oh wait, it's already here. ;) These are really interesting times to live in... damn those Chinese and their proverbs: this sounded wrong :D Edit: Dibs on the third!

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So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.

Fri, 2012-07-20 14:06

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: The first simulated cell is created; one more step ...

Ahh... excellent! Test subjects! Please don't mind the man in white lab coat taking notes :-)

Decivre wrote:
I think the hardest part is going to be the next step. We've now simulated [i]intra[/i]cellular interactions, but we now have to simulate [i]inter[/i]cellular interaction. The difference might be immense.

Some intercellular interactions are well understood - like synapses, where we have been simulating them for decades. The really intriguing bit is simulating cell adhesion. I know there is work done here, but I don't know if the state of the art is any good yet. I wouldn't expect human brain emulations this decade, but if we get an insect or mouse up and running I would be very happy - and expect humans within 10-20 years.

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