- Jonathan Rothberg (Ion Torrent) claimed at MIT’s Emerging Technology conference that the “$1,000 genome” would arrive in 2012, prompting discussion about collecting and sequencing DNA from public figures.  
- A new study on the p16-INK4a senescent-cell marker was dissected: clearing p16-positive cells “paused” some age-related decline but did not extend lifespan, and participants noted the need for senescent-cell-specific surface receptors to enable antibody-mediated clearance.  
- Participants debated the merits of an arXiv-style, LaTeX-formatted, peer-reviewed online journal for open-source transhumanist and DIYbio research, lamenting that current blogs lack rigor and citation standards.  
- Practical hardware threads included calibrating micrometer screws for a home-built STM and the possibility of using a laser interferometer for sub-micron accuracy.  
- Shapiro-group papers on steering multiple nanoparticles with electro-osmotic flow in microfluidic systems were re-shared (links provided), with the question of whether any DIYbio lab has replicated the technique.  
- Ongoing search for inexpensive CNC mills continued; community members weighed DIY plastic molding versus machining steel parts and shared images of low-cost CNC options.