# Summary of IRC Log from February 14, 2017

• A study on DCAF4 gene was discussed, noting its association with leucocyte telomere length, where the minor A allele of SNP rs2535913 is linked to shorter telomere length and potentially involved in DNA repair pathways.

• Researchers shared insights about genetic modifications, with one participant suggesting that rather than avoiding individual SNPs, it would be more effective to target whole signaling networks for human improvement.

• Several significant papers were shared, including research on muscle-specific CRISPR/Cas9 dystrophin gene editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and a review article about induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and Cas9.

• An optogenetic toolbox for epigenetic editing was discussed, which uses light-sensitive proteins fused with DNA-methyltransferase (DNMT3A) or Ten-Eleven Dioxygenase-1 (TET1) to enable site-specific alteration of methylation states at targeted gene promoters.

• A paper on CMOS nanoelectrode arrays for all-electrical intracellular electrophysiological imaging was shared, which could have applications in neural monitoring and recording.