CellF: a neuron-driven music synthesiser for real-time performance

CellF is the world’s first neuron-driven synthesiser. It is a collaborative project at the cutting-edge of experimental art and music that brings together artists, musicians, designers and scientists to create a cybernetic self-portrait. cellF is an autonomous, bio-analogue electronic musical instrument designed to operate independently and interact with human musicians. The instrument is controlled by a bio-engineered neural network or ‘brain’ derived from skin cells using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology that is housed in a custom-built synthesiser ‘body’. This paper introduces the cellF project highlighting the background, bio-technology, embodiment, design and performance capabilities.