• India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission launched successfully, prompting discussion of ISRO’s growing space capabilities and a live video link (http://www.isro.org/pslv-c11/videos/introduction.htm).

• A near-accident in a MEMS lab was dissected: an un-powered DC supply still grounded to earth created a high-voltage arc when clipped to a vacuum-furnace feedthrough, highlighting the need for proper lab safety and circuit isolation.

• DNA-sequencing difficulties were debated: key bottlenecks are isolating single molecules, inducing measurable reactions, and detecting the signal; current commercial platforms (454, Illumina, SOLiD) cost $400 k–$600 k and rely on proprietary, patent-protected chemistries such as phospholinked fluorescent nucleotides and evanescent-field single-molecule detection in 20 zeptoliter volumes.

• Pacific Biosciences’ real-time single-molecule sequencing technology was introduced via demo link (http://www.pacificbiosciences.com/) as an example of next-generation methods that remain largely locked behind patents.

• Participants argued that patents hinder open biohacking; one proposed building patented instruments for personal use only, while another cited Nathan Myhrvold’s “invention sessions” that generate broad defensive patents without actual construction.

• Susan Blackmore’s TED talk on “temes” (technological memes) was shared (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/susan_blackmore_on_memes_and_temes.html), sparking critique that the theory overlooks human cognitive biases and the embodied nature of cultural replication.

• The 300-mpg Aptera plug-in hybrid vehicle (http://www.metaefficient.com/transportation/300mpg-aptera-car.html) was discussed as an example of biomimetic, function-first automotive design; specs include a 1,480-lb composite body, rear-wheel electric motor plus gasoline generator, and crash safety via detachable front wheels.

• DIY electric mobility options were noted, including ampedbikes.com conversion kits and calls for sub-$250 open-source DNA sequencers to democratize genomics.

• A live reverse-engineering effort targeted the SynBioSS “designer” web service (neptune.cems.umn.edu) that converts BioBrick selections into SBML/NetCDF models; the group sought to replicate its rule-checking backend and wrap it in an open AJAX/JavaScript interface.

• Research links shared: PNAS paper on cellular tensegrity, Chisti’s review on microalgae surviving 20 atm concrete-like cell walls, and Berkeley BioPoems lab’s open-access papers on patch-clamp arrays, single-cell electroporation, and mechanical cell lysis.