- A genome-wide association study (Nature Genetics, 2008) identified two SNPs—rs1051730 and rs8034191—within the 15q25.1 locus (containing PSMA4, CHRNA3, and CHRNA5) that significantly modulate lung-cancer risk among smokers, suggesting that nicotine-addiction genetics, rather than direct carcinogen resistance, may underlie the differential susceptibility.  
- Discussion highlighted the practical limitation that these variants currently cannot be exploited for individual risk mitigation, since they appear to increase nicotine dependence and thus cumulative smoke exposure.  
- Participants asked about the current state of software for simulating protein–protein interactions; kanzure noted that while many tools exist, ligand–ligand docking methods are generally more reliable than broader PPI simulations, though specific recommendations were deferred pending memory refresh.  
- A Tufts University press release on bioelectric signaling changes in tissues was shared, prompting skepticism that the findings could be generalized beyond organs (e.g., the eye) with well-characterized electrical dipoles.  
- JayDugger linked to a Quantified Self profile celebrating Fenn Lipkowitz’s extensive lifelogging project and lamented the absence of QS talk transcripts for deeper analysis.  
- kanzure posted a PerkinElmer service page offering professional laboratory relocation logistics, implicitly relevant to DIY-bio or startup lab moves.