• A new San Diego DIY-Bio group called “The Wet Lab” has launched at Fab Lab with 50+ members, weekly meetings, donated lab gear, and near-term projects in algae bioreactors and synthetic biology.  
• “Distributed Biologics” was proposed as a venture to turn pig farms into low-cost suppliers of decellularized extracellular-matrix (ECM) scaffolds (e.g., porcine small-intestine submucosa) for veterinary and human regenerative medicine, with open questions on viral/prion removal and species cross-reactivity of growth factors.  
• Open-source hardware for bio-manufacturing was showcased: OpenSLS (US$15 k selective-laser-sintering printer), Andreas Bastian’s maltose-powder lattice scaffolds for perfusable microvasculature, and Open3DLP for photo-curing cell-laden resins.  
• A 2004 canine study demonstrated long-term patency (up to 8 years) of porcine SIS aortic grafts, reinforcing interest in off-the-shelf xenogeneic vascular scaffolds.  
• A Cell Reports paper (Dubal et al., 2014) reporting that the longevity factor Klotho enhances mouse cognition was circulated as a potential cognitive-enhancement target.  
• Discussion of expanding the genetic alphabet referenced Malyshev et al.’s demonstration that E. coli can replicate plasmids containing unnatural sulfur-substituted DNA bases in vivo without growth defects.  
• Links and manuals for low-cost, modular shelter technologies were shared, including hexayurts, N55 spaceframe systems, isotruss carbon-fiber lattices, and a mirrored Swedish “mirrorcube” hotel room that uses IR-reflective film to prevent bird strikes.  
• Participants debated sourcing strategies for lab equipment, noting that most refurbished US gear is non-functional and cheap, while China and Finland were floated as expatriation destinations offering inexpensive living and active research communities.  
• Cryptography veteran Ralph Merkle’s move to Ethereum was highlighted as evidence that serious cryptographic talent is now engaging with blockchain R&D.