# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (Oct 9-10, 2015)

• Researchers discussed DNA synthesis techniques, highlighting that while droplet-based synthesis is understood, the primary challenge lies in connecting DNA molecules together, especially when dealing with hundreds of millions of droplets that cannot be individually manipulated.

• The conversation outlined a hierarchical approach to DNA assembly: starting with 20-100 base pair segments, using ligase and Gibson assembly for fragments up to 10kb, then employing homologous recombination in yeast for larger fragments up to 1Mb.

• Participants debated the potential of directed evolution for developing enzymes capable of handling progressively longer DNA molecules, with some questioning the practical limitations of evolutionary search approaches in this context.

• Technical specifications of industrial inkjet printing technology were shared, noting capabilities of 100 million drops per second from a single printhead and up to 1 billion drops per second with multiple heads, suggesting potential applications to DNA synthesis.

• The Blue Brain Project's paper on neocortical microcircuitry was critiqued for not performing full-volume reconstruction but instead relying on statistical perturbations of a few stereotypical neurons.

• A scientific study was discussed regarding spaceflight's effects on mouse brain tissue, specifically noting decreased expression of genes involved in dopamine synthesis in brain sections from mice that had been in space.

• Links to ModelDB repositories containing neurological simulation code were shared, including examples of calcium accumulation models and potassium current simulations for neuroscience research.