# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Participants discussed open-source molecular modeling software Nanoengineer-1 (NE-1), noting that despite being poorly written after 4 years of development by 10 full-time programmers, it remains valuable for quickly sketching and simulating atomic structures, though with limitations for certain materials.

• A DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems 391) was purchased for $500 from eBay for teardown, documentation, and potential reverse engineering of its Hypercard-based software, demonstrating the channel's DIY biohacking ethos.

• The group shared and accessed scientific papers through libgen.org, particularly on "Impalefection" (a method of introducing DNA bound to nanofibers into cells) and other microbiology topics, showing their use of academic repositories.

• Detailed discussions about protein purification methods compared HPLC with surface display techniques, with mentions of DIY approaches using magnetic fusion proteins and ELP tags, highlighting the technical expertise in the channel.

• Participants critically evaluated consumer-grade EEG headsets, noting that while Emotiv's system might be the best consumer option, its proprietary limitations can be partially overcome using the open-source "emokit" software developed by channel members.

• The conversation explored brain-computer interface (BCI) technology focused on dream visualization experiments, with participants sharing articles about scientists' efforts to record and visualize dreams while questioning whether neural understanding, data resolution, or precision was the primary bottleneck.

• Technical discussions about microscopy equipment included comparisons of different objective lenses, with particular interest in high numerical aperture oil-free objectives and the potential repurposing of Blu-ray optics for microscopy applications.