# Key Ideas from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (July 27, 2016)

• Researchers discussed how non-audible parts of speech contain important features for NLP machine learning, raising concerns that the Opus audio codec's forced conversion to 48kHz might lose valuable information.

• The concept of an "electronic polymerase" was explored, involving computer-controlled electronic circuitry to manipulate polymerase molecules on chips, with electrical interfaces suggested for sequence detection and other stimulation methods for enzyme control.

• Participants discussed evolving polymerases that respond to light stimulation, specifically using photoswitchable unnatural amino acids with azobenzene that could respond to different wavelengths when placed at various locations within the enzyme.

• The conversation highlighted challenges in developing selection strategies for light-responsive polymerases, noting that while thermostability selection is straightforward (gradually increasing temperature), finding an equivalent method for optical responsiveness remains difficult.

• Alternative approaches to polymerase engineering were considered, including mechanical systems for delivering specific nucleotides to general-purpose polymerases and using fluorescent dNTPs that stop fluorescing upon incorporation as a potential selection method.

• The AGI-16 conference was discussed, with participants noting the significant deep learning content this year, including a specific transcript about why "Deep Neural Networks Can't Make AGI."

• The conversation touched on cellular rejuvenation through pluripotency induction, referencing work showing that cells from centenarians could be induced to pluripotence without differences from young-derived cells.