The mere concept of human tissue in a computer can make people squeamish, warns neuroscientist Dr Brett Kagan (PhD).

But the Chief Scientific Officer of Cortical Labs in Melbourne says the science is more ethical than animal testing and could help GPs achieve that promise that constantly feels 10 years away: truly personalised medicine.

The startup’s scientific team derives stem cells from donated blood to develop neurons, which they keep alive with nutrient support for around six months before replacing them.

With just a standard lab microscope, you can see these axons and dendrites extending into channels between computer chips to make connections.