The concept of distributed science is gaining popularity. Can DeSci make scientific research Web3-enabled?

Author: DeMan
In today's field of scientific research, traditional research models are gradually showing their limitations. Uneven funding distribution, the complexity of intellectual property, and issues related to the accessibility and reproducibility of research results have long been significant challenges for the scientific community. These problems not only affect the efficiency of research but also limit the potential for innovation. Against this backdrop, DeSci (Decentralized Science) has emerged, aiming to address these long-standing issues through a decentralized research model.

DeSci Concept Diagram
The core of the DeSci movement lies in utilizing blockchain technology and decentralized thinking to reform the traditional scientific research framework. This new model breaks the concentration of resources and opportunities in the traditional research system by changing the sources and distribution methods of funding. DeSci not only improves the accessibility and transparency of research but also encourages broader community participation and collaboration, thereby accelerating scientific discovery and innovation.
Through DeSci, scientists can directly gain economic benefits from their research results, such as through the tokenization of digital assets. At the same time, decentralized data storage and verification systems enhance the integrity and credibility of research data. In the DeSci model, research results and data are more easily shared and verified, thereby enhancing the reproducibility and universality of scientific achievements.
Moreover, the DeSci movement has introduced new governance and funding models for scientific research, such as Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and Web3-based reputation systems. These innovations not only provide new funding channels for researchers and projects but also increase the democratization of scientific decision-making.

Overview of DeSci: Using Blockchain Technology to Address the Shortcomings of Traditional Research

DeSci (Decentralized Science) is currently in a rapidly developing and exploratory phase. As an emerging research model, DeSci is gradually demonstrating its potential in improving the field of scientific research. The core of DeSci is to use decentralization and blockchain technology to reform traditional scientific research and management methods, thereby addressing a series of long-standing issues.

1. Fairness in funding distribution: In the traditional research system, funding is often concentrated in a few top research institutions and individual scientists, leading to uneven resource distribution. DeSci provides broader access to funding for researchers through decentralized fundraising and distribution mechanisms, such as DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). This model lowers the barriers to obtaining funding and promotes diversity and democratization in the research field;
2. Management and sharing of intellectual property: DeSci uses blockchain technology to manage intellectual property, allowing scientists to more easily share their research results and receive corresponding rewards. For example, converting research results into digital assets, such as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), enables researchers to directly benefit from their achievements while also promoting the sharing and dissemination of knowledge;
3. Accessibility and verifiability of research results: DeSci enhances the security and accessibility of research data through decentralized data storage and sharing platforms, such as IPFS (InterPlanetary File System). This approach ensures the transparency and traceability of research results, increasing the credibility and reproducibility of scientific achievements;
4. Transparency and democratization of the research process: DeSci utilizes Web3 technology and decentralized governance structures, such as reputation-based review processes, to improve the transparency and fairness of scientific decision-making. This model encourages broader community participation and collaboration, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields to engage in various stages of scientific research.
   
   Representative Projects of the DeSci Ecosystem

Real-World Applications and Development Directions of DeSci: Providing Sustainable and Fair Revenue Channels for Researchers

The DeSci movement prominently showcases the application of decentralized and blockchain technologies in modern scientific research, reflected in the tokenization of digital assets and efficient data storage technologies. The tokenization of research results has two main forms: one is converting research results into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), directly providing economic benefits to researchers; the other is crowdfunding research funding through Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and issuing tokens to collectively own the copyright of research results.
VitaDAO is an important example in the DeSci movement, serving as the most well-known community-managed and decentralized drug development DAO under Molecule, and it is also the world's first biotechnology DAO. VitaDAO is dedicated to accelerating research and development in the longevity space, extending human lifespan and healthspan. It combines innovative governance frameworks and financial engineering tools, such as NFTs and algorithmic automated market makers (AMMs), operating on the Ethereum blockchain and co-funding and digitizing research in the form of IP NFTs. The issuance and usage mechanism of the VITA token, as well as its role in DAO governance, provide novel incentives for early funding in longevity biopharmaceuticals.

VitaDAO Operation Concept Diagram
Additionally, the DeSci movement has adopted IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), an efficient peer-to-peer data storage technology. IPFS achieves secure storage and sharing of data by converting files into blocks encrypted with hash values, providing an alternative method for storing and sharing research results compared to traditional centralized platforms.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) technology also plays a significant role in DeSci. For example, in the Ants-Review project, the peer review process is transferred on-chain, utilizing timestamping and proof-of-work verification methods to establish research incentive systems, resulting in a more transparent and fair review process.
A Web3-based reputation system has also emerged within the DeSci movement, which enhances the credibility and security of the system by increasing the cost of score manipulation, contrasting sharply with traditional Web2 reputation systems.
Through these technological means, the DeSci movement not only builds a fairer, more transparent, and decentralized scientific research environment but also stimulates innovation and knowledge sharing, posing new challenges to traditional funding sources, distribution methods, and intellectual property protection in research.

Despite Being in Its Early Stages, DeSci's Positive Attempts Are Worthy of Industry Recognition

DeSci, as an emerging ecosystem, is currently still in the early exploratory stage, and its true potential and effectiveness await the test of time. Since the end of 2021, with the peak of the bull market and the launch of the first DeSci track at the Ethereum conference LisCon, the number of DeSci projects has surged. However, most of these projects have not yet fully launched on the mainnet, and their success or failure remains uncertain.
Challenges include the management and monetization of intellectual property, the maturity of decentralized identity and data verification protocols, the reproducibility of research methods and datasets, and regulatory compliance issues. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the legitimization of the DeSci economy and attracting more funding and research participation.
Although DeSci is a daunting task and most projects are still in their early stages, it offers many untapped opportunities for individuals to benefit from contributions to public goods. Communities can fund the research that matters most to them, scientists can more easily profit from their workflows, and the entire system can become stronger by defaulting to open and verifiable data practices. Transparent datasets and methods enhance the reproducibility of research, potentially making scientific discoveries more frequent and fruitful. Ultimately, all participants in the DeSci ecosystem may benefit from this innovative model.
In summary, DeSci represents an exciting new direction in the field of scientific research. Although it is still in its early stages, its success could bring revolutionary changes to the openness, transparency, and democratization of scientific work.