# Summary of IRC Log from June 29, 2015

• Kanzure shared several Nature Reviews Microbiology articles about microbial ecology, including one discussing bacteria that survive with extremely low energy requirements in subsurface environments, where they catabolize 10^4 to 10^6 times more slowly than model organisms and can subsist with energy fluxes 1,000-fold lower than typical culture-based estimates.

• Research on epigenetic memory in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was discussed, noting that iPSCs retain DNA methylation signatures from their tissue of origin, which can influence their differentiation potential unless reset through serial reprogramming or treatment with chromatin-modifying drugs.

• Several papers on evolutionary biology and mutualistic relationships were shared, particularly focusing on nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia bacteria, including how legumes can "punish" non-performing nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

• A brief discussion occurred about VDJ recombination, the mechanism by which immune cells modify their own DNA during T and B cell maturation, though it was noted this is a very limited process.

• Someone asked about transhumanism resources and what hardware/software might be needed, with kanzure jokingly responding about "giant death rays and kilometer-wide satellite clouds" before mentioning DNA synthesis equipment as a serious need.

• A link was shared to an article discussing whether dark matter might not exist, generating some interest in the channel.