# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (June 30, 2015)

• Participants discussed DNA extraction techniques for ancient remains, noting that sodium acetate precipitation works effectively for 9-month-old bone material, with references to research papers on extracting DNA from old skeletal material.

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) was highlighted through a PNAS paper demonstrating that woolly mammoth and horse DNA persisted in Alaskan permafrost soil for 10,500 years, significantly longer than indicated by traditional macrofossil surveys.

• The conversation identified a gap in DNA synthesis research, with few groups working on "rapid" DNA synthesis methods; the primary bottleneck was identified as reaction chemistry duration, which could potentially be addressed through parallelization techniques like micromirror arrays.

• Various DNA synthesizer approaches were analyzed, including Cambrian Genomics' laser catapulting method, with suggestions that polymerase-based methods would be fastest if scientists could develop electronic or optical control of nucleotide selection.

• Participants debated microfluidic technologies for DNA synthesis, contrasting valveless microfluidics (continuous flow) with microvalve systems, noting that the former is easier to implement while the latter introduces complexity and debugging challenges.

• A microfluidic device for DNA mixing and matching was shared via an American Chemical Society article, alongside comprehensive resources on microfluidics synthesis from diyhpl.us collections.

• The discussion included critical analysis of claims about ancient DNA preservation, particularly regarding a controversial paper on bacterial spores from 25-40 million-year-old Dominican amber, with participants finding the criticism "quite damning" and the authors' defense "really weak."