# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Log

• The Blue Brain Project was expanding into neurorobotics, as evidenced by a job posting shared (http://emploi.epfl.ch/page-96228-en.html), indicating efforts to integrate detailed brain simulations with robotic systems.

• Participants shared brain visualization resources, including a PDF (http://turingbirds.com/temp/brain.pdf) that received positive feedback from other channel members.

• DIY laboratory equipment was discussed, including 3D-printable adjustable volume pipettes and requests for makeshift incubator designs similar to the Hackteria DIY incubator (http://hackteria.org/wiki/index.php/DIY_Incubator).

• Scientific literature access was a focus, with users sharing and retrieving chapters from specialized texts like "Metal Nanoparticles in Microbiology" through the channel's paperbot.

• A user developed "pdfparanoia" (https://github.com/kanzure/pdfparanoia), described as "adblock for science," to remove advertisements from scientific papers, particularly targeting AAAS/sciencemag.org ads in PDFs.

• Biohacking experiments were ongoing among participants, with one user reporting success in getting cells to "glow bright green" after using the correct spectrum lamp for visualization.

• The channel promoted continuing education in biotechnology, sharing information about a free virtual event on Genetics & Genomics (August 21-22, 2013) offering CME & CEU credits.