- A 2015 international consortium engineered rice with a rudimentary C4 photosynthesis pathway, aiming for ~50 % yield increases; full adoption would require precise cellular patterning and dozens of still-unknown genes, with wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, apples and soybeans as additional C3 targets.  
- Mechanical computing architectures built solely from links and rotary joints (2018 paper) were discussed as a route to nanoscale logic, with suggestions to adapt the design to DNA-origami–based rotors or gears in light of recent DNA-axle work from the Baker lab.  
- OpenAI’s Whisper automatic speech-recognition model was shared as a new off-the-shelf tool for transcription and voice interfaces.  
- The Berkeley Analog Generator (BAG)—a Python framework that scripts parameterized layout, schematic, LVS and PEX flows inside Cadence Virtuoso—was highlighted for rapid analog/mixed-signal IC design; links to Sky130 PDK forks and example CPU-plus-ADC chips were provided.  
- DNA nanotechnology for sub-10 nm fabrication was explored through papers on “three-dimensional nanolithography guided by DNA modular epitaxy” (7 nm lateral, 2 nm vertical features after single-run RIE transfer) and “microscopy-by-sequencing” methods.  
- Fluorosequencing—single-molecule fluorescent protein sequencing developed at Erisyon—was noted, along with the venture firm Musea Ventures’ role as founding donor of the BioBricks Foundation.  
- Aubrey de Grey announced a new longevity-focused foundation in a talk from the Longevity Summit Dublin 2022 (video link circulated).