An on-chip reconfigurable memory is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, an array of memory cells, each memory cell storing a data value and comprising circuitry for coupling that data value to one of said data lines in response to the selection of one of said gate lines, a gate line selection circuit for enabling a gate line for a memory operation, said gate line selection circuit comprising programmable gates to receive address assignments for one or more of said gate lines, said address assignments for determining which of said gate lines is selected for each programmed address assignment and a controller for determining that at least one of said memory cells is defective and for altering, in at least one instance, said address assignments of said gate lines to eliminate references to that gate line that causes that defective memory cell to couple a data value to one of said data lines.