- **Plant-based protein bioreactors**: Discussion centered on using plants—especially dandelions, Lemna (duckweed), and coconut milk—as low-cost, open-source factories for recombinant proteins; Lemna was highlighted for naturally secreting proteins into the growth medium, simplifying purification.

- **Agrobacterium-mediated transformation**: Participants shared freeze-thaw and biolistic (gene-gun) protocols for getting DNA into plants, including links to early DIY gene-gun designs made from modified BB guns and PVC, plus papers on increasing transformation efficiency with light and Arabidopsis VIP1 overexpression.

- **Target proteins for open-source production**: First candidates mentioned were GFP (as a test), Taq polymerase for PCR, insulin, dopamine, opiate-pathway enzymes, MRI reporter MagA, mechanoreceptors for magnetically guided cells, and channelrhodopsin-2 for optogenetics.

- **DNA synthesis hardware ideas**: Brainstorming ranged from a nano-scale “printing press” that mechanically presents bases to an immobilized DNA polymerase, to PDMS micro-contact printing and nano-imprint lithography for on-chip oligo synthesis, with citations to academic papers on PDMS stamp methods.

- **Swine-flu genomics snapshot**: The newly released hemagglutinin sequence of the 2009 H1N1 strain was posted and discussed; participants noted its oseltamivir sensitivity and adamantane resistance and linked to alignment files and sonified versions of the sequence.

- **Root exudation & rhizosecretion**: Exploration of “root dripping” and leaf guttation as routes for continuous, harvestable secretion of recombinant proteins without destructive harvesting, including the term “phyllosecretion” for leaf-based output.

- **DIY lab resources**: A pointer to the book “A Low-Cost Approach to PCR: Appropriate Transfer of Biomolecular Techniques” (ISBN 0195119266) was shared as a practical guide for building inexpensive bio-lab equipment.

- **Materials & adhesion research**: A paper on “large invisible cables and self-cleaning releasable superadhesive materials” was circulated as part of a broader interest in biomimetic “Spiderman suit” technologies.