Scientists Teach Lab-Grown Brain Cells to Play Video Games

March 2, 2026 - 19:26

A dish of living brain cells has learned to play the classic video game Pong. This remarkable achievement comes from a team of scientists who have successfully demonstrated that lab-grown neurons can not only receive but also process information and adapt to achieve a goal.

The experiment involved a cluster of roughly 800,000 human and mouse neurons grown on a microelectrode array. This setup, dubbed the "DishBrain" system, allowed researchers to send electrical signals to the cells indicating the position of the in-game ball. The neurons would then respond with their own electrical activity to move the digital paddle.

Initially, the performance was poor, with the cells successfully returning the ball only about 4.5% of the time. However, through continued feedback and gameplay, the mini-brain showed a capacity to learn. Over time, its performance improved dramatically, eventually achieving a success rate of 46% in rallies. This suggests the neuronal network organized itself to become more adept at the task.

This research provides a new model for studying how networks of brain cells process information, learn, and potentially even form memories. It blurs the line between biological intelligence and machine learning, opening new avenues for understanding both the human brain and the future of biocomputing.