# Key Technical Discussions from #hplusroadmap

• Deuterium extraction methods were analyzed, noting that electrolysis can separate D2O from regular water despite the natural 6420:1 H:D ratio, while nuclear reactors gradually convert water to D2O and T2O through neutron capture.

• A significant paper on potential optical communication in the brain was shared, proposing that myelinated axons might function as photonic waveguides for biophotons, suggesting a novel neural communication mechanism beyond electrical signaling.

• Researchers discussed a Protein Graph Repository that has converted Protein Data Bank structures into graph data, enabling more efficient computational analysis of protein structures.

• DNA polymerase dynamics were examined through multiple papers, including one describing the enzyme as a mechanical oscillator with the fingers domain vibrating at ~300 Hz during elongation, with each departing pyrophosphate replenishing energy for continued oscillation.

• A theoretical model for template-free synthesis of long DNA sequences was discussed, potentially making synthetic genomics more economical by producing longer DNA molecules.

• Advanced DNA sequencing technologies were debated, including patents on capacitive and inductive sensing of polymerase enzymes, with discussion about implementation challenges requiring on-chip field-effect transistors.

• An innovative method for creating refractory carbon foam from charred bread was shared, yielding material with 3.6 MPa compressive strength, 0.29 g/cc density, and low thermal conductivity (0.06 W/m/K).