# Key Points from IRC Log

• Esmerelda discussed the complexity of gene regulatory networks, noting that simple arrow diagrams fail to capture the actual mechanisms like cofactors and protein-protein binding, using SOX9 and FGF-9 interaction as an example where FGF-9 helps relocate SOX9 to the nucleus rather than just being part of a simple feedback loop.

• Esmerelda proposed a novel idea for modifying the androgen receptor (AR) gene by replacing its HDAC-1 binding domain with a histone rewinding protein binding domain, potentially creating an "anti-androgen receptor" that could reverse androgenic effects of puberty.

• Kanzure shared a paper titled "Patents and innovation in economic history" suggesting that patents discourage innovation rather than promoting it.

• Maaku inquired about interpreting neural networks as code (homoiconic neural networks), wondering about representing neural network layers as executable programs similar to how Lisp interprets nested lists.

• Discussion touched on protein-protein docking software needs, with Esmerelda asking if such tools exist beyond small-molecule docking applications.

• Yashgaroth mentioned ordering from Genscript for residential delivery of a fusion protein, expressing concern about whether the protein would work in E. coli based on limited published data from academia and industry.

• A paper about crows and neuroscience was shared, titled "Why Neuroscientists Need to Study the Crow" from Nautilus magazine.