New Research Shows Cells Can Learn Without The Brain

Groundbreaking research suggests that single cells might be capable of learning without complex brains or nervous systems.

Researchers from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona and Harvard Medical School in Boston have published their findings in Current Biology, which could impact future medical treatments by offering new insights into how diseases, like cancer or bacteria, avoid treatment.

Instead of following pre-programmed genetic instructions, cells appear to have a basic form of decision-making, learning from their environments, according to co-author Jeremy Gunawardena, Associate Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School.

The study focused on “habituation,” a simple form of learning where organisms become less responsive to repeated stimuli, like ticking clocks or flashing lights.

This idea of single-celled organisms learning has been debated since the early 20th century. The current study builds on previous research, providing strong evidence that certain cells possess learning capabilities.

“To learn, cells use internal molecular networks that perform functions similar to neurons in brains,” said co-author Rosa Martinez from CRG.

In their research, the team examined biochemical reactions, such as adding or removing phosphate tags on proteins, which control cellular responses. They simulated these chemical interactions on a computer to test different scenarios.

The results showed that cells use negative feedback loops and incoherent feedforward loops—biological processes that allow them to learn and adapt over time.

The team found that cells exhibit a form of “memory” that enables them to respond quickly and also influence future responses. This discovery could help bridge gaps between cognitive scientists and neuroscientists, offering a better understanding of how habituation works at the cellular level.

“Our approach can help us prioritize which experiments are most likely to yield valuable results, saving time and resources and leading to new breakthroughs,” says Martinez, emphasizing the potential for addressing fundamental biological questions.

Though more research is needed, this work highlights the incredible adaptability of life at its smallest scale.

“We think it can be useful to address many other fundamental questions,” Martinez said