# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• The Allen Institute launched "BigNeuron," a competition for 3D neuronal reconstruction from microscopic image stacks, with community members questioning why electron microscopy techniques were excluded from the contest parameters.

• Participants discussed optical fiber options for spectrometry, comparing expensive SMA fibers from Thorlabs with more affordable alternatives like TOSLink cables, specifically evaluating their suitability for near-infrared applications.

• An open-source software called "NeuroPG" was shared, designed for optical pattern generation and data acquisition in neuroengineering applications.

• The group discussed security concerns around ADNAS's DNA-based authentication technology ("SigNature DNA"), questioning whether the sequences could be reproduced if determined.

• A paper on hemispherectomy for treating intractable seizures in children prompted a collaborative effort to access the full text when institutional access barriers arose.

• Connections between physics and biology were explored, with discussion of how electromagnetic mechanisms similar to those used in maze-solving automatons might relate to salamander regenerative capabilities.

• Daniel Suarez's book "Influx" was discussed as a relevant exploration of how revolutionary scientific advances might be suppressed by secretive organizations to prevent social disruption.