Artificial Intelligence...
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It`s the connection between the computer and the neural network, which would communicate with one another, that creates a new kind of machine. Ben-Jacob elaborates: "The network won`t replace the computer but it will do the softer cognitive functions of decision-making, interaction with the environment, and sound recognition."

According to Baruchi, biological computing might also lead to technology that Microsoft has been working to achieve, without success: handwriting recognition, made possible by virtue of the biological system`s ability to detect patterns.

"The ability of the regular silicon-based computer to detect patterns is very low, and it needs a very sophisticated algorithm. With the biological system it`s very easy, because humans and animals can easily detect patterns," said Baruchi, who has been working with Ben-Jacob for seven years.

In order to conduct experiments, neurons are placed in a Petri dish that is studded with electrodes on its base. The neurons spontaneously form a communicative network, and their activity generates pulses of voltage which are recorded by the electrodes. The electrodes are, in turn, connected to a computer that monitors and records the resulting patterns on its screen.

Scientists have long known that an artificial network of brain cells will create spontaneous patterns of activity, but they had not found a way to add new patterns. The common methods of experimentation on artificial networks of brain cells have been electrical stimulation and chemical stimulation. Baruchi explains that in his work with Ben-Jacob, chemical stimulation made sense because "neurons stimulate one another with chemical cues - so we thought we would [stimulate them] in the same way."

Neurons are divided into two types: Excitatory neurons, which promote neurological activity, and inhibitory neurons, which reduce activity. According to Ben-Jacob, most researchers have tended either to focus on stimulating one or the other by "reward" (in the case of excitatory neurons) and "punishment" (in the case of inhibitory neurons). Baruchi and Ben-Jacob came up with the idea to suppress the inhibitory neurons with an injection of the chemical picrotoxin, which freed the excitatory neurons to create new patterns without hindrance. These new patterns lasted for days and in harmony with the already existing patterns.

"We did something new, we invented teaching by liberation," says Ben-Jacob. "We gave the network the ability to act freely and generate new things by reducing inhibition during the limited time of stimulation. This helps to create a new pattern of firing."

In the foreseeable future, the ability to imprint patterns in an artificial network of brain cells can be developed into various technologies. Ben-Jacob predicts that brain repair will be an important consequence for the treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer`s and Parkinsons. "Now that we have learned additional secrets [of how the brain stores information] we may be able to take a network, add stem cells and with the right stimulation can convert them into a functioning network," says Ben-Jacob.

An even more long-term vision is to use these ideas for the treatment of epilepsy. Ben-Jacob describes the process by which this might be carried out: a recording of the brain activity of the epilepsy patient would be fed to the networks through a computer. The network would then communicate with the human brain in order to correct the epilepsy.

The science fiction aspect of the discovery rears its head when Ben-Jacob describes other potential advances, such as "cybrids" (cyborg-hybrids) that can learn to carry out specific tasks. His idea is that the networks, which are biological and therefore react as humans do, will be connected with co-evolvable computer software, so that the network and the software can evolve together to learn tasks. Exposing the network to various toxins would produce specific patterns from the neurons, which the computer would then record and learn; a technology which would lead to the creation of machines that are capable of identifying toxins in the environment.

Ben-Jacob sees many potential possibilities, and suggests: "We can connect the network with retina cells so it can detect light, for building a robot that can look and see... a machine that shares similar capabilities with the human brain."

The preceding Israel 21c story was provided by Tel Aviv University

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Yeshiva University dean...
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“I have been shaped in large part by both the educational experience and intellectual philosophy of Yeshiva University,” said Rabbi Reiss, “and I am excited to have the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the Torah education of the wonderful students who represent the future of our community.”

For more than 35 years, Rabbi Charlop has been dean of the seminary. Under his leadership, RIETS experienced enormous growth, graduating thousands of rabbis, educators, and Jewish scholars. He announced recently that he is relinquishing that position effective June 30, 2008. He will continue to serve as one of the Masmichim, those who administer ordination exams, and will maintain his special relationship with the Kollelei Elyon (advanced study groups).

Rabbi Charlop will remain full time as dean emeritus of RIETS, and will serve as special advisor to the YU President on yeshiva affairs with cabinet rank.

“Rabbi Reiss is a stellar choice for the deanship of RIETS,” said Rabbi Charlop, who noted that he is gratified to have been a mentor to Rabbi Reiss during his student days at the seminary. “His most important character trait is his integrity, which is known and respected throughout the Orthodox community. Moreover, while he lives in two worlds, the secular and the sacred, he is anchored in the yeshiva.”

Rabbi Reiss said he takes “pride in our wonderful yeshiva that has been guided with such love and devotion for so many decades by Rabbi Charlop. I hope in my tenure to ensure that we continue to maintain our standard of excellence in a fashion that both maximizes the potential of each of our students and serves the multifarious needs of our community, both locally and globally.”

Rabbi Reiss’ appointment was also strongly endorsed by Rabbi Lamm: “This is a marvelous appointment at this point in RIETS’ history. He has a great range of erudition, a broad spectrum of interests, is totally committed to the vision of RIETS, and is a firm believer in Torah Umadda.”

Rabbi Reiss has been director of the Beth Din of America since 1998. The Beth Din, which was founded by and is affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) and sponsored by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), is the largest rabbinical court in the country. It handles over 500 cases a year in the areas of Jewish divorce, commercial arbitrations, and mediation.

In his directorship of the Beth Din, Rabbi Reiss has worked to resolve cases of agunot, chained women who cannot obtain a Jewish divorce, and popularize the use of the RCA pre-nuptial agreement as a protection against future agunah problems.

From 1992 to 1998, Rabbi Reiss worked as an associate at the international law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York City. He maintained an association with the firm until 1999. He is a member of the New York Bar Association, a certified mediator for the City of New York court system and a member of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council for New York.

Rabbi Reiss serves on the editorial board of Tradition magazine. A frequent writer on a variety of topics relating to both Jewish and secular law, he has published widely in Jewish publications, as well as the New York Law Journal.

Rabbi Reiss and his wife Mindy have five sons and live in Riverdale, NY.

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