# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (Feb 21, 2015)

The log contained limited substantive discussion, but several interesting topics were touched upon:

• A paper on "Reprogramming the Methylome: Erasing Memory and Creating Diversity" was shared, relating to stem cell research and epigenetic modifications.

• Participants discussed protein expression systems, comparing traditional laboratory methods like Pichia pastoris yeast (which can grow in methanol) versus animal-based systems, noting that commercial protein production rarely uses animal expression systems due to efficiency concerns.

• There was discussion about the challenges of creating a "desktop protein maker" and why engineered proteins remain expensive (factors include labor, R&D, quality control, capital equipment costs, and economies of scale).

• A conversation about bee monitoring technology mentioned a BBC documentary where researchers attached RFID tags to bees and used rotating radar dishes to track their movements.

• A link was shared about a lower-cost metal 3D printing solution using gas metal arc welding for aluminum, with the researchers using OpenSCAD software for their designs.

• One participant shared research about imitation behavior in humans, noting that automatically imitating every observed human action is actually a pathological condition seen in patients with prefrontal lesions.