# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussions

• Researchers explored advanced DNA synthesis technologies, including enzymatic approaches and "DNA printers" that could enable on-demand creation of custom genetic circuits, with detailed discussions about technical challenges involving solvents (acetonitrile vs. DMSO), quality control, and cost reduction strategies.

• The potential applications of affordable DNA synthesis were discussed, including engineered gastrointestinal microbes to treat conditions like lactose intolerance, biosensors using aptamers, and optogenetic biological interfaces, though participants noted that regulatory approval would remain costly despite cheaper synthesis.

• Participants debated protein design strategies, contrasting modular protein blocks versus linked amino acid chains, while acknowledging the persistent challenges in predicting protein folding and structure.

• The concept of hybridizing biological systems with digital interfaces emerged as a theme, including proposals for remote-controlled cells with network interfaces for sensing or manufacturing applications, and using octopus chromatophore technology to visualize neural plasticity.

• George Church's work was referenced multiple times, including his "Regenesis: Bionano" talk and his participation in the Personal Genome Project, highlighting his influence in the synthetic biology community.

• The Blue Brain Project's digital reconstruction of rat brain neocortical microcircuitry was shared, connecting to broader efforts in the Human Brain Project to simulate neural structures.

• A novel MIT technology was discussed that can recover speech from high-frame-rate video by detecting microscopic vibrational displacements in objects like potato chip bags, demonstrating unexpected approaches to information recovery.