# Key Ideas from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• A novel approach to brain emulation was proposed involving modularizing neural tissue cultures with electrode interfaces, then gradually replacing biological components with software implementations—potentially easier than modeling 100 billion neurons simultaneously.

• Researchers discussed using small neuron populations (10k-100k neurons) for specific tasks like optical character recognition, referencing experiments where rat neural tissue has been used for balancing problems in flight simulators.

• Two-photon microscopy was suggested as a method for stimulating individual neurons and visualizing the resulting EPSPs, offering an optical alternative to electrodes for neural connectivity mapping, though at significant cost.

• Participants explored the challenges of maintaining neural tissue cultures, including the necessity of glial cells and the possibility of using directed evolution to select neurons more likely to survive in artificial environments.

• Several innovative technologies were highlighted, including Pneubotics' inflatable robotic arms (1/10th the weight and price of conventional arms), Hamilton Robotics' liquid interface sensing technology, and a glucose monitor integration with Pebble smartwatch.

• An unconventional aging research promotion strategy was shared: creating techno music about aging being a terminal disease to attract programmers to the field, with a DJ competition launched at AgingKills.org.