- **MutaT7 chimera**: A new in-vivo targeted mutagenesis tool that fuses a cytidine deaminase to a processive RNA polymerase, enabling continuous, multi-kilobase-scale mutagenesis across defined DNA regions in any organism.  
- **Mouse brain synaptome atlas**: Single-synapse-resolution maps of postsynaptic proteins across the entire mouse brain reveal that regions governing higher cognition contain the greatest synapse diversity and that cognitive-disorder mutations reorganize these maps.  
- **Single-chromosome yeast**: Multiple Nature papers report successful fusion of all 16 yeast chromosomes into one functional chromosome, creating reproductive isolation and demonstrating large-scale genome engineering.  
- **ConnectID method**: Combines MAPseq projection mapping with single-cell RNA-seq to link neuronal connectome and transcriptome, identifying transcriptional modules that predict multiplex axonal projections in cortical neurons.  
- **Biohack The Planet 2018**: Annual DIY-bio conference in Oakland (Aug 31–Sept 1) featuring a curated, small-format speaker lineup for direct attendee interaction.  
- **GP-write Canada meeting**: Free Montreal event focused on genome-scale DNA writing and editing technologies, organized by Canadian synthetic-biology stakeholders.  
- **Egg sourcing debate**: Discussion of extracting human oocytes from recently deceased or brain-dead patients on life support as a potential high-yield source, weighed against ethical and logistical barriers.  
- **Mammoth Biosciences critique**: Channel members express disappointment that the CRISPR startup bearing the “mammoth” name is unrelated to George Church’s woolly-mammoth de-extinction project.  
- **MagSafe hardware hacks**: Archels details reverse-engineering Apple’s MagSafe connector for custom low-leakage UVLO circuits and integrating temperature monitoring via 1-wire GPIO.  
- **Surrogacy economics**: Links shared on legal and financial aspects of surrogacy, including federal lawsuits over egg valuation and insurance models for medical-expense liability.