# Key Points from IRC Discussions on Biohacking and DNA Synthesis

• Biohackerspaces like Counterculture Labs were identified as struggling with fundamental infrastructure issues (lack of plumbing, proper facilities) that prevent them from effectively utilizing advanced equipment like DNA synthesizers, with most limited to basic activities like fermentation.

• The conversation revealed a structural problem with hackerspaces described as "broken by design," with participants proposing alternative models such as consulting firms where income from paying projects could support equipment maintenance and community access.

• Multiple chemical ligation methods for DNA synthesis were discussed with shared academic papers, including selenium-mediated autoligation, non-enzymatic assembly, and yeast-based assembly of overlapping oligonucleotides.

• Researchers explored phosphoramidite oligonucleotide synthesis methods and whether enzymes could improve the process, highlighting a disconnect between biologists and chemists in research despite the interdisciplinary nature of DNA synthesis work.

• Technical discussions covered nucleotide modifications including DNA oligonucleotides with zwitterionic backbone structures, minimally-viable PCR primers (as short as 6 base pairs), and succinate derivatives in liquid-phase DNA synthesis.

• Kanzure shared research on optogenetic vision restoration using rhodopsin, noting that photoreceptive G protein coupled receptors demonstrated light responses 2-3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than channelrhodopsin.