So today I got a rare treat. I got to touch one of these:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah – that part at the end of the subject – it’s a genetic sequencing machine. Way too cool. They’re about the size of say an older HP LaserJet 5si.

The reason I had to touch them today was to get the correct serial numbers off them. Only way to do is is to go into the config menu and it displays there. It’s a totally graphical interface too, very slick! But it’s not just the machine in the image, there’s some computing horsepower behind it.