# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (December 17, 2016)

* Research on post-mortem brain functionality was shared, indicating that chemically preserved human brains may retain some functional capacities, as demonstrated by responses to neurotransmitters and electrical stimulation in fixed brain tissue ("When Is the Brain Dead?" PLOS ONE study).

* A study on radiation resistance in bacteria was discussed, showing that Deinococcus radiodurans' extraordinary robustness depends on efficient proteome protection rather than DNA protection against radiation-induced damage.

* Lightning Network specifications for Bitcoin were shared (lightning-rfc GitHub repository), representing development in cryptocurrency scaling solutions.

* Cell-free protein expression systems were discussed, including paper-based synthetic gene networks that could enable protein production without living cells, potentially allowing for reprogrammable biological systems using stacked filter papers.

* A comparison of production facilities for therapeutic proteins noted that Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells dominate biopharmaceutical manufacturing, with only one FDA-approved recombinant drug being produced in plant cells despite potential cost advantages of alternative systems like algae.

* A comprehensive collection of one-sentence summaries of synthetic biology projects from iGEM 2015 was completed and shared on the DIY bio wiki.