Constructing artificial neurons with functional parameters comprehensively matching biological values

The efficient signal processing in biosystems is largely attributed to the powerful constituent unit of a neuron, which encodes and decodes spatiotemporal information using spiking action potentials of ultralow amplitude and energy. Constructing devices that can emulate neuronal functions is thus considered a promising step toward advancing neuromorphic electronics and enhancing signal flow in bioelectronic interfaces. However, existent artificial neurons often have functional parameters that are distinctly mismatched with their biological counterparts, including signal amplitude and energy levels that are typically an order of magnitude larger. Here, we demonstrate artificial neurons that not only closely emulate biological neurons in functions but also match their parameters in key aspects such as signal amplitude, spiking energy, temporal features, and frequency response. Moreover, these artificial neurons can be modulated by extracellular chemical species in a manner consistent with neuromodulation in biological neurons. We further show that an artificial neuron can connect to a biological cell to process cellular signals in real-time and interpret cell states. These results advance the potential for constructing bio-emulated electronics to improve bioelectronic interface and neuromorphic integration.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63640-7
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.46

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article

Constructing artificial neurons with functional parameters comprehensively matching biological values

Trevor L. Woodard, Derek R. Lovley, Shuai Fu, Zhien Wang et al.
2 citations
Nature Communications
Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
1.46
article

Constructing artificial neurons with functional parameters comprehensively matching biological values

Trevor L. Woodard, Derek R. Lovley, Shuai Fu, Zhien Wang, Jun Yao, Hongyan Gao, Jing Kong, Xiaoyu Wang, Siqi Wang
article en
2 citations

Abstract

The efficient signal processing in biosystems is largely attributed to the powerful constituent unit of a neuron, which encodes and decodes spatiotemporal information using spiking action potentials of ultralow amplitude and energy. Constructing devices that can emulate neuronal functions is thus considered a promising step toward advancing neuromorphic electronics and enhancing signal flow in bioelectronic interfaces. However, existent artificial neurons often have functional parameters that are distinctly mismatched with their biological counterparts, including signal amplitude and energy levels that are typically an order of magnitude larger. Here, we demonstrate artificial neurons that not only closely emulate biological neurons in functions but also match their parameters in key aspects such as signal amplitude, spiking energy, temporal features, and frequency response. Moreover, these artificial neurons can be modulated by extracellular chemical species in a manner consistent with neuromodulation in biological neurons. We further show that an artificial neuron can connect to a biological cell to process cellular signals in real-time and interpret cell states. These results advance the potential for constructing bio-emulated electronics to improve bioelectronic interface and neuromorphic integration.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
University of Massachusetts Amherst (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
National Science Foundation, Semiconductor Research Corporation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Division of Materials Research, Army Research Office
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
1.46
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