# Summary of IRC Log from #hplusroadmap (August 3, 2014)

• A scientific paper on "Real-Time Evolution of New Genes by Innovation, Amplification, and Divergence" was shared, discussing mechanisms of gene evolution.

• An open-source pick-and-place manufacturing robot called FirePick Delta was discussed, which includes REST protocol for machine vision coordination and automatic BOM generation capabilities.

• A paper on site-specific selfish genes as tools for controlling and genetically engineering natural populations was shared, relevant to gene drive technologies.

• A video from MIT's Future of Life Institute was mentioned, featuring George Church discussing synthetic biology risks and opportunities.

• A discussion about pharmaceutical pricing occurred, noting how Medicare/Medicaid handles drug pricing through mandatory discounts, with specific mention of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.

• A laboratory automation platform called "PR-PR" (http://prpr.jbei.org/) was shared, likely related to biological research automation.

• An environmental enclosure design for an inverted time-lapse microscope was shared, potentially useful for long-term cell culture imaging.