# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory released a groundbreaking 500TB dataset for mapping the complete neural wiring of a mouse brain, with gigapixel images allowing visualization of individual neurons at mouse.brainarchitecture.org.

• Participants debated brain preservation techniques, discussing the tradeoffs between pre-freezing and frozen slicing methods, with concerns about information loss and damage from thawing that remains understudied.

• A physician described transitioning from bench research to primary care medicine with the goal of preventing negative healthcare experiences, highlighting the different career paths within biomedical fields.

• The discussion revealed significant labor market disparities, with skilled molecular biologists earning only $15-20/hour despite specialized expertise, while programmers command $125+/hour for comparable skill levels.

• A critical debate emerged around longevity research (SENS), questioning its scientific validity given the complex, interconnected mechanisms of aging including epigenetic changes and mitochondrial interactions.

• Participants explored tensions between transhumanist technological goals and social justice concerns, debating whether open-source approaches alone can address global healthcare disparities without tackling fundamental resource allocation problems.

• One member shared work on repurposing laboratory equipment with controller cards compatible with Mach or LinuxCNC software, suggesting potential applications for DIY lab automation.