# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussions

• Researchers shared significant scientific breakthroughs, including a paper on p21 expression linked to regenerative capabilities in mice, bacteria surviving in suspended animation for 34,000 years, and the "chromothripsis" phenomenon in cancer where massive genomic rearrangement occurs in a single catastrophic event.

• The Gada Prize for RepRap development ($80K) sparked debate about funding models for open-source hardware, with suggestions to use bounties or direct funding rather than prize-based approaches that might encourage secrecy contrary to open-source principles.

• Participants discussed creating a hardware package management system called "skdb" that would use git repositories to track and distribute hardware designs, with detailed consideration of dependency structures and inventory specifications.

• The group explored potential transhuman technology projects including DIY bio equipment, tissue printing, and the possibility of creating a hackerspace specifically focused on transhuman tech development.

• A co-op business model for shared equipment ownership was proposed, where tools like laser cutters could be rented to generate sustainable income for hackerspace operations.

• Technical discussions included comparing 3D printer models (ShaperCube vs. Huxley), with notes on the ShaperCube's superior sturdiness but higher price point ($1300), and sharing resources from sites like makergear.com and makerbot.com.

• Nanoengineer-1, an open-source nanotech/molecular machine CAD software written in Python, was identified as needing more volunteer developers and potentially paid maintainers.