# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (November 14, 2015)

* Research on organ transplantation was discussed, including United Therapeutics' $100 million investment in developing transgenic pigs for lung transplants, and progress in xenotransplantation technology.

* Cryonics research was shared, including work by Hal Sternberg's team at Biotime on reviving baboons cooled to 1°C, and Gregory Fahy's team at 21st Century Medicine successfully vitrifying and transplanting a rabbit kidney.

* Tissue engineering techniques were discussed, particularly the decellularization of organs (removing cells from pig hearts) and growing human cells on the remaining extracellular matrix as a potential method for creating transplantable organs.

* A meta-analysis of 50 years of twin studies examining the heritability of human traits was shared (via a PDF link to gwern.net).

* Participants discussed Megaphragma mymaripenne, a microscopically small wasp with only 7,400 neurons that represents one of the smallest known insects, comparable in size to single-celled organisms.

* A discussion about DRACO (Double-stranded RNA Activated Caspase Oligomerizer) technology occurred, with questions about its potential effectiveness against viruses and concerns about its impact on future DNA editing vectors.