Neurobiological approach to computing devices

According to the old metaphor of classical cybernetics the brain can be considered as a computer. Newer theoretical endeavours reverse the question and ask: what could neurobiology offer to engineers of near-future generation computer systems? Three not completely disjoint abstract functions of the nervous system, namely pattern formation, pattern recognition and action, can be treated in a unified conceptual framework. Storage and retrieval mechanisms of information are connected to fault-tolerant, adaptive parallel structures. "Learning" and "plastic behaviour" are interpreted in terms of the theory of non-linear dynamic systems. As neural development and plasticity can be approached by deterministic models superimposed by random influence, noise might also have a positive role to play during the operation of technical computing devices. Molecular computation is discussed in relation to eventual hardware realization of "neurobiology-based" computers.