- Build-A-Cell synthetic-biology workshop (Minneapolis) shared live-editing Google docs on protein translation, in-silico cell simulation, minimal essential genes, and a project roadmap; public Slack invite at http://buildacell-invite.herokuapp.com.  
- New ACS SynBio paper demonstrated MHz electric-field gradients used to spatially trap ribosomes, RNA polymerases, and nascent proteins 50 µm from immobilized DNA, creating on/off oscillations in a compartmentalized cell-free expression chip—an all-electronic, label-free control layer for hybrid bio-electronic systems.  
- Kosuri Lab’s multiplex olfactory-receptor assay and a review on “cracking the olfactory code” were highlighted; Bishop added improved olfactory-receptor science resources to the DIYH+ wiki.  
- Neuropixels paper (Nature 2017) and project site (ucl.ac.uk/neuropixels) introduced fully-integrated silicon probes capable of high-density, high-fidelity neural recording across cortical layers, discussed as key infrastructure for linking deep-learning models to layered cortical computation.  
- UCL/KordingLab perspective paper on cortical layering and layer-spanning elements was circulated as “potentially highly relevant for the deep-learning / neuroscience link.”  
- High-resolution FIB-SEM study showed 96–98 % of neocortical spines lack GABAergic synapses; GABA responses arise extrasynaptically, suggesting GABA inputs cluster on dendritic shafts to gate functional zones of excitatory input.  
- Fetal cryonics proposed as a compromise to anti-abortion concerns: freeze rather than destroy embryos, with references to JetPress article “Fetal Cryonics and the Abortion Debate”; debate ensued on ethics, cryo-damage, and whether baseline humans should be created at all.  
- Channel discussion framed abortion ethics as emotionally rather than rationally driven, with counter-arguments that cryo-storage could still be viewed as killing or as an invasion of women’s rights.