- OpenWorm’s NeuroML connectome files were identified as a turnkey resource for importing complete nervous-system simulations into new environments, with the OpenWorm community offering direct setup support.  
- A Tufts University patent (US 2014/0349380) was spotlighted for silk-fibroin optofluidic devices whose β-sheet crosslinking allows aqueous processing and in-device embedding of enzymes, cells, dyes, and nanoparticles.  
- Princeton’s “bionic ear” project demonstrated 3-D printing of a functional auricle: a Fab@Home syringe printer co-extruded chondrocyte-laden alginate, Ag-nanoparticle conductors, and silicone, followed by cartilage maturation in culture.  
- uBiome’s $89/sample 16S microbiome sequencing service was noted to accept any mixed bacterial sample and may extend to ITS fungal sequencing on request, offering an accessible route to open-source microbiome research.  
- IDT’s gBlocks gene-synthesis pricing ($89 for 500 bp, up to $329 for 2 kbp) was discussed as currently the most cost-effective option, though the 2 kbp length ceiling was flagged as a limitation.  
- nmz787 proposed a “punk-the-patents” hackathon in low-cost jurisdictions like Nepal or Thailand to rapidly prototype patented bio- and hardware inventions with beachside workspace, generators, and reliable internet.  
- A hobbyist build log detailed a 2880×1800 LCD projector, comparing LED vs. short-arc xenon light sources, chromatic aberration in fresnel lenses, and the need for minimal arc length to preserve pixel-level sharpness.