# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Discussions on bioprinting technology highlighted Organovo's work and a French startup focused on democratizing 3D printing through shared designs, showing the community's interest in accessible biotechnology.

• Research on distributed biological computation that mimics logic gate circuits was shared, including a one-bit adder with carry functionality, demonstrating progress in biological computing systems.

• Natasha Vita-More's paper "Epoch of Plasticity" explored virtual environments as vehicles for cognitive enhancement, connecting transhumanist philosophy with practical applications in digital spaces.

• A memory enhancement study using neuropeptide S was analyzed, with particular focus on its effects during memory consolidation and interactions with noradrenergic systems in the brain.

• The viability of open source development for physical objects was examined through a shared thesis, alongside discussions about organizational models for hackerspaces and fab labs (LLCs vs 501c3 nonprofits).

• Metal spraying technology was proposed as a method for creating detailed metal parts using RepRap 3D printed objects as a base, representing innovative approaches to digital fabrication.

• Tensions between institutional and DIY approaches to synthetic biology emerged when a molecular biology professor expressed skepticism about DIY DNA synthesis, while others shared research on solid-phase oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis.