# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (June 26, 2013)

• Participants discussed building an affordable DIY DNA synthesizer in the $500-$2000 range, noting that most commercial systems were based on decades-old technology from the 1980s-90s, highlighting a potential area for open-source innovation.

• The Photonic Fence technology was examined in detail, describing how consumer-grade components (infrared LEDs, digital camera sensors, and DVD/Blu-ray laser technology) could be used to detect and eliminate mosquitoes with 50-100 millijoules of energy per kill, with a link shared to 3ric Johanson's Make Magazine article.

• A debate occurred about transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), with a Rutgers researcher claiming that phosphenes observed during stimulation originate in the retina rather than the brain, though this conclusion was met with skepticism.

• The conversation revealed tensions in startup culture regarding work expectations, with some advocating for the necessity of 12+ hour workdays in early-stage companies while others argued that reasonable hours are both possible and more sustainable.

• Participants discussed how business models and regulatory barriers impede innovation in biotechnology, particularly in antibiotic development where profitability concerns have led to stagnation despite urgent medical needs.

• The group explored metagenomics approaches to antibiotic discovery, involving the extraction and analysis of genome fragments from soil bacteria to identify potential new compounds.

• A local community biolab (likely BiocuriousLA) was reported to be facing organizational challenges with access and key management, while still planning a July 12th unveiling event.