# Summary of ##hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (Nov 25-26, 2016)

• Researchers discovered enzymes that catalyze carbon-silicon bond formation, with cytochrome c from Rhodothermus marinus achieving 15-fold higher turnover than synthetic catalysts, marking the first biological pathway for C-Si bonds despite no natural biological molecules containing such bonds.

• A significant genetic modification was discussed regarding the transcriptional repressor DEC2 (BHLHE41), where mutations enable individuals to function normally on only 4-5 hours of sleep per night while demonstrating resistance to negative effects of sleep deprivation.

• The discussion explored how sleep-resistant individuals appear to dampen oscillating gene expression patterns during extended wakefulness, while sleep-sensitive individuals maintain daily expression patterns even during sleep deprivation.

• Participants discussed enzyme optimization across species, noting that bacteria with shorter generation times have evolved more efficient enzymes than mammals, and that indiscriminate human enzyme optimization could be dangerous due to metabolic feedback disruptions.

• Blood flow restriction training was mentioned as a method that increases acute determinants of hypertrophy without increasing indices of muscle damage, with references to scientific literature supporting this approach.

• The rs17822931 gene variant was discussed as a potential genetic modification target, though not specifically for enhancement purposes but for other beneficial traits.