# Decentralized Science: The Blockchain Revolutionizing Research

Blockchain technology is advancing beyond finance and business, aiming to revolutionize scientific research. Decentralized Science (DeSci) is an emerging movement focused on innovating various stages of scientific research, including funding, data sharing, and intellectual property management. This article delves into the concept of DeSci, the challenges facing traditional scientific research, and key projects driving this revolutionary approach.

## DeSci: Revolutionizing Science

DeSci aims to leverage Web3 technologies to build the infrastructure that supports various aspects of scientific research, such as funding, research creation, review, and knowledge storage. The goal is to create an environment where researchers can openly share their findings and be fairly acknowledged for their contributions.

## Why DeSci is Gaining Attention

The rising interest in DeSci is largely due to the active involvement of cryptocurrency industry leaders. Binance’s Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has shown significant interest in exploring the integration of biotech research and crypto technologies, stating last year his intent to find ways to accelerate biotech research funding using crypto.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is promoting research collaborations through platforms like ResearchHub. These leaders are drawing resources and attention to DeSci, helping to transform the movement from a concept into practical innovation.

## Challenges in Traditional Scientific Research

Modern scientific research is plagued by several limitations. Notably, there’s the “Valley of Death,” where fundamental research fails to translate into practical innovations. Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson, criticized the current research environment for its excessive productivity pressure, stating he might not have been employed under today’s standards.

Another issue is access to information. Many scientific journals rely on paywalls, restricting researchers’ access to information. Projects like Sci-Hub advocate for open access, but major academic platforms remain closed off. The “publish or perish” culture further hinders scientific progress, as researchers focus more on quick results than long-term collaboration and data sharing. Intellectual property (IP) disputes between researchers and universities also consume energy that should be dedicated to research.

## DeSci’s Proposed Solutions

DeSci offers blockchain-based solutions to address these systemic issues.

### Funding Through DeFi

DeSci creates opportunities for funding through blockchain-based crowdfunding and tokenization of research projects. For instance, VitaDAO provides a platform for early-stage longevity research funding, allowing participation without relying on large institutions.

### Open Publishing

DeSci fosters a comprehensive and diverse scientific community. It offers tokens as rewards to reviewers and collaborators, enhancing transparency and engagement compared to traditional publishing models.

### Improved Collaboration

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) create environments where global research teams can collaborate efficiently. AthenaDAO, for example, focuses on women’s health research areas like ovarian aging, menopause, and endometriosis, providing support where traditional funding has been scarce.

### Intellectual Property Management

Using Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to represent research IP digitally, researchers gain better control over commercializing their findings. Molecule Protocol offers an IP-NFT framework for biotech projects, aiding in early-stage funding.

### Data Sharing

Decentralized storage solutions allow for secure and transparent data sharing. GenomesDAO, for example, creates a user-owned genome database, empowering individuals to securely store and selectively share their DNA data for research purposes, balancing personal data protection and medical research advancement.

## Key Projects Leading DeSci

The DeSci movement includes several pioneering projects addressing various challenges in the traditional scientific ecosystem:

### VitaDAO

**Focus Area: Longevity Research**
VitaDAO supports early-stage projects aimed at extending healthy human lifespan, raising over four million dollars. Backed by Pfizer and former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan, VitaDAO democratizes access to emerging therapies.

### ResearchHub

**Focus Area: Scientific Community Engagement**
Founded by Brian Armstrong, ResearchHub aims to be the central platform for scientific discussions. Researchers are rewarded with ResearchCoins (RSC) for contributions like uploading papers, commenting, and peer reviewing, incentivizing active participation and accelerating scientific breakthroughs.

### Molecule Protocol

**Focus Area: Biotech Research and Funding**
Molecule connects biomedical research projects with potential funders through blockchain technology. By implementing IP-NFTs, Molecule simplifies ownership and trading of research IP, helping bridge the funding gap in early-stage research.

### AthenaDAO

**Focus Area: Women’s Health Research**
AthenaDAO focuses on projects related to women’s health issues such as ovarian aging, menopause, and endometriosis. It supports underfunded research areas through a decentralized community, aiming to improve understanding and treatment of women-specific health issues.

### GenomesDAO

**Focus Area: Personal Genomics Database**
GenomesDAO offers a user-owned genome database. Individuals can securely store and selectively share their DNA data for research, enhancing genetic research while preserving personal data privacy and ownership.

### Bio.xyz

**Focus Area: Supporting DeSci Projects**
Bio.xyz is an accelerator that supports biotech-focused DAOs, aiding DeSci projects’ launch and funding. It provides a launchpad for token auctions, enabling both DAO participants and external investors to support innovative scientific initiatives.

## Challenges Ahead

Despite its progress, the DeSci movement faces significant hurdles. Funding through DeSci projects often falls short compared to traditional research grants. Issues of project quality and centralization also pose challenges.

**Project Quality**: The community-driven decision-making process can lead to transparency problems, with review committees’ identities often undisclosed. Excessive reliance on community votes may prioritize popular trends over genuine research value.

**Centralization in DAOs**: Some projects experience centralized governance issues, contrary to the DAO model’s decentralization intent. For example, in VitaDAO, during the VDP-132 proposal adoption, two major token holders significantly influenced the vote, revealing structural issues in DAO governance.

**Data Privacy and Security**: Managing sensitive scientific data on decentralized networks presents challenges, particularly in maintaining open science benefits while complying with data protection regulations like GDPR.

## Future Outlook

Despite these challenges, DeSci holds a promising future. ViaBTC Capital asserts that DeSci has the potential to dismantle geographical and economic barriers, accelerating global research collaboration. The active involvement of cryptocurrency leaders and innovative approaches further boost the likelihood that DeSci will become a new paradigm in scientific research. It is expected to provide tangible benefits for researchers and society, fostering an open and collaborative research environment.