What Makes CZ and Vitalik Rally Behind DeSci Together?
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What Makes CZ and Vitalik Rally Behind DeSci Together?
DeSci leverages blockchain technology to address issues in the traditional scientific research system such as inefficient funding, outdated infrastructure, and lack of incentive mechanisms, promoting a more open, transparent, and efficient model of scientific research.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthors: Anthony Chan, Shubham Kumar
Translation: Baihua Blockchain
Scientific research is often fraught with systemic obstacles. Take drug development as an example—this process is notoriously long and expensive, marked by high failure rates: 95% of drugs fail after entering human trials, with average R&D costs exceeding $2 billion and timelines stretching over 13 years! Moreover, academic funding models heavily favor established researchers, leaving innovative or unconventional projects underfunded. Meanwhile, the pressure to publish has led to issues such as overstatement, irreproducible results, and systemic inequities that disadvantage marginalized groups. These structural challenges highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to democratize research funding, foster collaboration, and uphold the integrity of scientific discovery. This article explores two key questions: (1) Why do we need Decentralized Science (DeSci)? (2) How can it solve these problems?
1. What Is Decentralized Science (DeSci)?
Decentralized Science (DeSci) is an emerging movement leveraging blockchain technology to tackle core challenges in science—including funding shortages, lack of transparency, and collaboration barriers. By using decentralized technologies such as tokens, NFTs, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), DeSci aims to build a more open, community-driven, and incentivized model for scientific research. It eliminates traditional intermediaries to enable transparent funding mechanisms, peer review processes, and data sharing. Projects like VitaDAO, Molecule, and AminoChain demonstrate how decentralized platforms are redefining how research is funded, conducted, and disseminated—bridging the gap between basic research and clinical application while ensuring ownership and transparency in data management.
2. Problem Statement
1) Inefficient Research Funding System
The current research funding system is highly inefficient—scientists spend nearly 80% of their time writing grant proposals, leaving only 20% for actual research. Imagine if software developers had to spend most of their time fundraising instead of coding; technological progress would slow dramatically. Similarly, outdated processes are hindering scientific innovation. Early-career researchers face significant barriers, as most funding and resources go to senior scientists. This preferential treatment suppresses novel and unconventional ideas and limits opportunities, especially in underrepresented regions. Furthermore, the centralized, competitive, and conservative funding model prioritizes safe, conventional research over high-impact but risky directions.
2) Outdated Research Infrastructure and Fragmented Data Management
The research ecosystem suffers from outdated infrastructure and fragmented data systems. Platforms like GitHub for code and Dropbox for data create "data silos," limiting collaboration. Many data repositories fail to meet FAIR standards (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), leading to massive data loss—up to 80% within 20 years due to broken links and poor archiving. Intellectual property (IP) is typically controlled by institutions rather than individual researchers, meaning scientists may lose control over their own work when changing affiliations. Early-stage data and informal collaborations thus remain unprotected. Combined with poor interoperability between systems and reliance on outdated tools like fax machines, these issues hinder collaboration, block AI-driven research, and slow down scientific progress.
3) Low Incentives for Replication and Unpaid Peer Review
Replication is essential for validating scientific findings, yet it's severely underprioritized because journals value novelty over verification. This has led to a "replication crisis"—an estimated 70% of published studies cannot be reproduced. Additionally, peer review is largely unpaid labor, with scientists contributing work valued at around $1.5 billion annually. Yet this process lacks transparency and fairness. To improve research efficiency and reliability, incentive structures must be reformed.
4) Oligopoly in Scientific Publishing
The global academic publishing market is dominated by five major publishers controlling nearly 50% of the market, generating $19 billion in annual revenue with profit margins as high as 40%. This oligopoly turns publishers into gatekeepers who prioritize profits over scientific value. High publication fees—ranging from $2,000 to $12,000 per paper—create major barriers for underfunded researchers, particularly those in developing regions. On the access side, individual articles can cost $35–$50, further restricting the spread of critical knowledge. These high costs and restrictive policies exacerbate inequalities in knowledge sharing, favoring wealthier institutions while excluding under-resourced scientists and communities.
5) The "Valley of Death" in Research
Traditional drug development takes 10–13 years and over $2 billion to bring a new therapy to market. Pharmaceutical companies often work in isolation rather than collaborating in a globally connected ecosystem, resulting in duplicated efforts and missed opportunities to jointly tackle diseases like cancer. The biggest hurdle is the "valley of death"—the gap between basic research and commercialization. During this phase, promising projects require substantial funding to scale, yet financial support sharply declines. With 95% of drugs failing in human trials, this funding gap prevents many transformative innovations from reaching patients.
6) Lack of Patient-Centric Models and Data Privacy in Biomedical Research
Thousands donate biological samples each year for medical research, but current systems exclude donors from the lifecycle of their contributions. After signing a consent form, donors typically have no visibility into how their samples are used, eroding trust and reducing participation—consent rates in major institutions can be as low as 25%. Centralized systems worsen this issue, failing to track sample usage or manage donor consent effectively, while also posing data breach risks. This lack of transparency and security limits access to high-quality data, slows scientific progress, and delays life-saving treatments.
3. Solutions
Decentralized Science (DeSci) addresses many of the systemic challenges in traditional research ecosystems by leveraging blockchain technology, decentralized networks, and novel incentive mechanisms. These solutions aim to enhance accessibility, transparency, funding allocation, and collaboration in scientific research. Below is an overview of how DeSci tackles key issues in science:
1) DAOs: Enabling Collaborative Governance in Science
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) provide a decentralized, community-driven framework for allocating resources and making decisions in research. By democratizing funding, DAOs allow scientists, investors, and other stakeholders to propose and vote on research projects, fostering collaborative and transparent environments. For example, the BIO Protocol is a decentralized platform using blockchain to help communities fund and accelerate scientific research. It supports the creation and funding of BioDAOs—decentralized organizations focused on specific medical challenges—that pool resources and expertise to drive innovation.
Notable examples include:
HairDAO: Developed a consumer product for hair loss, Foll1C0ol, and owns its patents via the DAO.
CerebrumDAO: Raised $1.5 million for brain health research, partnering with Fission Pharma on neurodegenerative diseases.
ValleyDAO: Focused on synthetic biology, raised $2 million and collaborates with Imperial College London.
AthenaDAO: Dedicated to women’s health, funded $500,000 in research with 14 IP deals pending.
CryoDAO: Raised $3 million for cryobiology research, working with Oxford’s cryotechnology team.
Quantum Biology DAO: Led by an MIT PhD, pioneering quantum microscopy and opening new research frontiers.
Long COVID Labs: Led by a Stanford neuroscientist, accelerating research on long COVID affecting millions globally.
2) Decentralized, Permanent, and Accessible Research Data
DeSci platforms offer researchers secure, decentralized ways to store data, manuscripts, and research materials. Using blockchain, these platforms ensure long-term accessibility and prevent data loss from link rot. For instance, platforms like DeSci Nodes provide decentralized storage that guarantees permanence and immutability of research outputs. Moreover, DeSci platforms are built around FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Each dataset includes metadata detailing how it was generated, enabling others to easily discover and reuse it. Integrating FAIR principles enhances data accessibility and encourages collaboration, reducing redundant research.
3) Incentivizing Reproducibility and Peer Review
The "reproducibility crisis"—where many studies cannot be replicated—is a major flaw in modern science. DeSci addresses this by rewarding scientists for replicating experiments or reviewing others’ work. For example, ResearchHub, supported by Coinbase co-founder Brian Armstrong, uses tokens to reward researchers for verifying results, providing feedback, and participating in peer review. This creates incentives for careful scrutiny, improving the reliability of published research. By promoting transparency and collaboration, DeSci helps resolve a longstanding problem in traditional science.
4) Open Access and Programmatic Publishing
DeSci platforms eliminate paywalls by offering open access, allowing scientists to freely share findings without costly publication fees. For example, DeSci Publish enables researchers to upload and distribute work at no cost, increasing the reach and impact of discoveries. Additionally, programmatic publishing automates tasks like manuscript submission, formatting, peer review coordination, metadata generation, revision tracking, and dissemination—freeing researchers from administrative burdens so they can focus on science.
Etica Protocol: A Case Study
Launched in April 2022, Etica Protocol is a DeSci initiative transforming medical research by removing IP restrictions and promoting open-source collaboration. Running on blockchain, it allows researchers to freely share findings and earn economic rewards throughout the research process. By bypassing traditional patents and restrictive licensing, Etica creates a fair and efficient framework that accelerates innovation and ensures affordable, equitable access to treatments.
Core Features
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Decentralized Proposals: Researchers submit disease-specific proposals evaluated through community voting on-chain.
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Staking and Voting: Token holders stake Etica Tokens (ETI) to vote; correct votes are rewarded, incorrect ones penalized, ensuring accountability.
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Dynamic Approval Threshold: Proposal approval thresholds adjust dynamically based on voting patterns, balancing fairness and rigor.
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Privacy and Transparency: A two-step voting system ensures privacy during voting and transparency upon result disclosure.
Research Areas of Etica Protocol
Etica advances open-source medical research on global health challenges including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. It also supports innovation in Parkinson’s and ALS, while addressing malaria and silicosis. Additional focus areas include cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis), addiction, longevity research, and fundamental science. These domains reflect Etica’s real-world impact and encourage active participation toward accessible and equitable healthcare solutions.
5) IP-NFTs: Empowering Researchers and Securing Ownership
DeSci revolutionizes how research is funded, managed, and owned—much like blockchain transformed finance. By combining intellectual property non-fungible tokens (IP-NFTs) with DAOs, DeSci tackles the "valley of death" where promising projects stall due to lack of funding between basic research and commercialization. DAOs connect researchers directly with global funding networks, bypassing traditional barriers and ensuring early-stage projects get the resources they need. This decentralized approach accelerates innovation, democratizes funding, and fosters global collaboration. IP-NFTs are central to this transformation, built on Ethereum and integrating legal agreements, smart contracts, and encrypted private data stored on decentralized platforms like Arweave and Filecoin. Tokenizing research enables efficient funding, transparent governance, and collective ownership—empowering researchers and ensuring fair access to scientific outcomes.
Key Advantages of IP-NFTs:
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Monetization: Researchers can sell IP-NFTs directly to raise funds and potentially earn significant returns.
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Open Access with Control: IP-NFTs can combine open access with retained ownership rights.
Real-World Examples
Molecule is a leading platform using IP-NFTs to transform research funding. By tokenizing intellectual property, Molecule enables researchers to raise funds directly from global investors, patients, and enthusiast communities.
Over $30 million raised through the Molecule ecosystem for decentralized scientific research.
29 research projects funded, spanning rare diseases and quantum biology.
15,700+ community members, including scientists, investors, and supporters.
$1.95 million directly allocated to cutting-edge research, achieving breakthroughs in underfunded fields.
VitaDAO exemplifies the transformative power of IP-NFTs in science, decentralizing funding and governance via blockchain. It has deployed over $4.2 million to fund 24 research projects, evaluated 200+, and advanced breakthrough longevity science through transparent, collaborative models. Its $6 million treasury demonstrates how decentralized mechanisms can effectively support innovation and drive progress in critical scientific domains.
6) Project Examples Funded via IP-NFTs
Discovery of Novel Autophagy Activators
Lab: Korolchuk Lab, Newcastle University
Focus: Identifying compounds to restore autophagy in aging cells, targeting age-related cellular recycling decline.
Funding: $285,000
Longevity Biotech Based on Naked Mole Rats
Lab: Gorbunova Lab
Focus: Developing therapies using high-molecular-weight hyaluronan for its anti-cancer and lifespan-extending properties.
Funding: $300,000
Longevity Molecules
Lab: Scheibye-Knudsen Lab
Focus: Using machine learning to analyze 1.04 billion prescription records to identify drugs that extend human lifespan.
Funding: $537,000
ApoptoSENS: CAR-NK Cells for Senescent Cell Clearance
Focus: Developing CAR-NK cells to eliminate senescent cells and treat age-related diseases.
Funding: $253,000
Innovative Mitophagy Activator for Alzheimer’s Disease
Lab: Fang Lab
Focus: Using AI to identify candidate drugs that restore mitochondrial autophagy, potentially treating Alzheimer’s and other age-related conditions.
Funding: $300,000
Reversing Periodontal Disease Through Aging Science
Lab: An Lab
Focus: Testing anti-inflammatory compounds for age-related periodontitis to improve human healthspan.
Funding: $330,000
ARTAN Bio: Mutation-Specific Codon Suppression for Aging and Longevity
Company: ARTAN Bio
Focus: Developing interventions for nonsense mutations that cause age-related diseases and cancer.
Funding: $91,300
7) Decentralization in Biomedicine
DeSci offers a transformative solution by placing patients and donors at the center of research. Using blockchain, DeSci ensures donors retain control over their biological samples, allowing them to track usage and even receive financial returns if commercialized. This builds trust and encourages participation. Decentralized systems also offer stronger data security, storing sensitive information securely and granting access only with proper authorization. By replacing centralized databases with blockchain’s transparency and immutability, DeSci protects privacy and accelerates biomedical progress.
AminoChain: Transforming Biomedical Research Through DeSci
AminoChain is revolutionizing biomedical research by building a decentralized platform that connects medical institutions and empowers patients. Having raised $7 million—including a $5 million seed round led by a16z crypto and Cercano—it has established a transparent, efficient system for managing biospecimens and medical data. At its core is the Amino Node, a software suite integrated with existing medical systems (e.g., electronic health records and inventory tools). Amino Node standardizes data into a universal format while keeping it securely stored on institutional servers. By unifying data across the network, AminoChain enables patient-centered applications and inter-institutional collaboration.
One key feature is the Specimen Center—a peer-to-peer marketplace for biological samples. Researchers can search and request specimens from biobanks efficiently, maintaining compliance and traceability. Tasks that traditionally take weeks are streamlined, accelerating research. Crucially, donors can track how their samples are used, gain insights from derived research, and earn rewards if commercialized—enhancing trust and engagement. AminoChain uniquely embeds bioethics into its operations, prioritizing patient transparency and benefit-sharing while facilitating research and collaboration in biomedicine.
4. A Bright Future for DeSci: Revolutionizing Research Funding
DeSci is rapidly transforming how research is funded and conducted, unlocking new possibilities for innovation and collaboration. Since 2023, over seven dedicated DAOs have emerged, collectively evaluating more than 2,000 projects and disbursing over $70 million via on-chain grants. These DAOs span diverse areas including psychedelic research, hair loss treatments, cryogenics, neuroscience, and frontier quantum biology. Although only 0.5% of proposed projects receive funding, their impact is already significant. Over 3,000 ETH has been invested, advancing 5–6 new drug candidates. The first tangible product—a high-dose spermidine supplement developed by VitaDAO—has reached the market and received approval from Thailand’s FDA, demonstrating the real-world viability of this revolutionary funding model.
6. Future Project Outlook for DeSci
The potential of DeSci is further demonstrated by upcoming projects:
1) Curetopia
Goal: Address over 10,000 rare genetic diseases by uniting patient communities and diverse populations.
Method: Engage patients directly in research, placing them at the heart of the discovery process and transforming rare disease therapeutics.
2) Quantum Biology DAO
Goal: Accelerate quantum biology research, foster community-building, open governance, and innovative experimentation.
Mission: Understand and manipulate biological mechanisms at the quantum level, opening new frontiers for scientific breakthroughs.
7. Major Players Backing DeSci
The significance of DeSci has drawn attention from key figures in the blockchain space. BN Labs made a major investment in the BIO Protocol—an innovative platform enabling global communities of scientists, patients, and investors to co-fund and co-own breakthrough biomedical research. Focusing on rare diseases, longevity, and mental health, BIO Protocol incubates multiple BioDAOs to accelerate patient-driven innovation. Industry leaders including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Binance CEO Zhao Changpeng (CZ) have publicly expressed support, attending a DeSci event in Bangkok. Their involvement underscores DeSci’s potential to reshape global research funding and execution.
DeSci’s growth extends beyond Ethereum—projects like PumpDotScience on Solana are pushing the boundaries of decentralized science. Supported by the Solana Foundation, PumpDotScience allows users to watch live research experiments and tokenize longevity compounds. This innovative model has seen rapid success: after DevCon, its tokens surged—$RIF reached a $106 million market cap, while $URO climbed to $39 million. The DeSci market is growing fast, with trading volume exceeding $25 million and total market value reaching $1.2 billion. DeSci tokens like ResearchHub’s RSC (backed by Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong), VITA, and HAIR are performing strongly. These metrics reflect strong investor confidence and interest, signaling that DeSci is redefining the future of scientific advancement.
8. A New Era of Science: The DeSci Revolution
Decentralized Science (DeSci) is sparking a revolution—fundamentally transforming how science is funded, conducted, and shared. With backing from industry giants like Binance and visionaries like Vitalik Buterin, DeSci is not just a technological innovation but a movement committed to democratizing science and solving humanity’s greatest challenges. Projects like BIO Protocol, Curetopia, and Quantum Biology DAO showcase the potential for real breakthroughs, while cross-chain collaboration is expanding DeSci’s reach from Ethereum to platforms like Solana. This is not mere blockchain speculation—it’s about curing diseases, accelerating progress, and ensuring innovation benefits everyone. DeSci represents a future of science that is open, collaborative, and inclusive. It’s not a passing trend, but a profound shift in how we advance as a species. As this movement gains momentum, we are witnessing the dawn of a truly transformative era for humanity.
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