Research Background and Introduction
The lifecycle of scientific research is fraught with various obstacles, such as the lengthy and costly process of bringing new drugs from development to market. Data shows that 95% of drugs fail after entering human trials, with average development costs exceeding $2 billion and taking more than 13 years. Additionally, the funding allocation model in academic research exhibits severe inequality, favoring senior researchers while innovative and non-traditional projects are often overlooked. At the same time, the pressure to publish papers in academia has led to issues such as over-speculation and experiments failing to be reproducibly verified, further exacerbating systemic inequalities and marginalizing the voices of minority groups.
These issues indicate that scientific research requires an innovative solution to democratize access to research funding, promote collaboration, and uphold the integrity of research. This article aims to explore two core questions: (1) Why is Decentralized Science (DeSci) needed? (2) How does DeSci address the current pain points in scientific research?
What is Decentralized Science (DeSci)?
Decentralized Science (DeSci) is an emerging movement that leverages blockchain technology to address core challenges in the scientific field. These challenges include funding shortages, lack of transparency, and inefficient collaboration. By introducing tokens, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), DeSci aims to create a more open, community-driven, and incentive-compatible scientific research ecosystem.
DeSci promotes transparent funding models, peer review mechanisms, and data sharing, reducing the interference of traditional intermediaries. Projects like VitaDAO, Molecule, and AminoChain demonstrate how decentralized platforms can redefine the funding, execution, and dissemination of scientific research, shortening the gap between basic research and clinical application while ensuring transparency and ownership in data management.
Core Issues in Scientific Research
1. Inefficient Allocation of Research Funding
The current research funding allocation system is inefficient, with researchers spending nearly 80% of their time applying for funding, leaving only 20% for actual research. Early-career researchers face greater obstacles, as resources primarily flow to senior scientists, leading to innovative and non-traditional projects being overlooked. This centralized, highly competitive, and conservative funding model prioritizes outdated research directions, limiting scientific progress.
2. Outdated Research Infrastructure and Fragmented Data Management
The scientific research ecosystem relies on outdated infrastructure and fragmented data management systems. Tools like GitHub and Dropbox, while providing some storage capabilities, create data silos that limit collaborative efficiency. Additionally, many data repositories fail to meet FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) standards, resulting in serious data loss issues—up to 80% data loss over 20 years. Intellectual property (IP) is often controlled by institutions rather than researchers, further complicating data management.
3. Insufficient Reproducibility and Uncompensated Peer Review
The issue of the 'replication crisis' in scientific research is prominent, with about 70% of published studies failing to be reproducibly verified. However, reproducibility is crucial for the reliability of scientific discoveries. Moreover, peer review work is often done without compensation, consuming a significant amount of scientists' time, with its market value estimated at $1.5 billion, yet this process lacks transparency and fairness.
4. Oligopolistic Monopoly in Academic Publishing
The global academic publishing industry is dominated by five major publishers, holding nearly 50% of the market share, with annual revenues reaching $19 billion and profit margins as high as 40%. High publication fees ($2,000 to $12,000 per article) pose a significant barrier for researchers in underdeveloped regions. At the same time, individual article prices can reach $35 to $50, limiting the dissemination and sharing of knowledge.
5. The 'Valley of Death' in Research
The transition phase from basic research to commercialization is known as the 'Valley of Death', during which funding support sharply declines, causing many promising projects to fail. The traditional drug development process takes 10 to 13 years and costs over $2 billion, with 95% of drugs failing in clinical trials, and the lack of global collaboration exacerbates this problem.
6. Patient-Centered Models and Data Privacy Gaps in Biomedical Research
Despite thousands of people donating biological samples for medical research each year, the current system fails to involve donors in the research lifecycle, leading to a lack of trust and decreased participation rates. Meanwhile, centralized data management systems are prone to data breaches, threatening the security of sensitive information.
Solutions of DeSci
1. DAO: Collaborative Governance in Scientific Research
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) provide decentralized solutions for research funding allocation and decision-making through a community-driven framework. The democratic resource allocation mechanism of DAOs allows scientists, investors, and other stakeholders to propose and vote on research projects collaboratively.
Case Studies:
HairDAO: Developed the product 'Follicool' for hair loss issues and holds related patents.
CerebrumDAO: Raised $1.5 million for brain health research.
AthenaDAO: Focuses on women's health research, having funded projects worth $500,000.
2. Decentralized Persistent Research Data Storage
DeSci platforms provide researchers with secure and decentralized data storage through blockchain technology, ensuring long-term access to research outcomes. For example, DeSci Nodes offer decentralized storage services to prevent data link failures and adopt FAIR data principles to promote the findability, accessibility, and reusability of data.
3. Incentivizing Reproducibility and Peer Review
DeSci platforms incentivize scientists to replicate experiments and participate in peer review through token reward mechanisms. For example, ResearchHub uses token rewards to validate research results, share feedback, and involve scientists in peer review, addressing the 'replication crisis'.
4. Open Access and Programmatic Publishing
DeSci platforms eliminate the high costs of traditional publishing through open access models. For example, Etica Protocol promotes open collaboration in medical research through blockchain technology, freeing researchers from traditional intellectual property constraints and providing financial rewards.
5. IP-NFT: Empowering Researchers and Securing Ownership
Intellectual Property Non-Fungible Tokens (IP-NFTs) provide a transparent and efficient funding and management framework for research projects. By tokenizing research outcomes, researchers can raise funds directly from global investors while maintaining control over intellectual property.
Case Studies:
VitaDAO: has funded 24 research projects in areas such as aging and quantum biology.
Molecule: Raised over $30 million through IP-NFTs to support research in rare diseases and other cutting-edge fields.
6. Decentralized Solutions in the Biomedical Field
Platforms like AminoChain use blockchain technology to give donors visibility and control over the use of their biological samples while providing secure data storage. AminoChain's Specimen Center has also established a peer-to-peer marketplace for biological samples, accelerating the research process.
Future Prospects of DeSci
Since 2023, over seven specialized DAOs have been established, assessing over 2,000 projects and funding more than $70 million in research through on-chain channels. The potential of DeSci is not only reflected in drug development but has also made breakthroughs in fields such as quantum biology and rare disease treatments.
With support from industry giants like Binance Labs and Vitalik Buterin, DeSci is rapidly expanding its influence. Cross-chain collaboration and continuous innovation in decentralized platforms are bringing revolutionary changes to scientific research.
Conclusion
Decentralized Science (DeSci) is redefining the ways in which scientific research is funded, executed, and shared. Through blockchain technology and decentralized networks, DeSci achieves a more democratic and efficient research ecosystem. As more projects are implemented and developed, DeSci is expected to address the core issues in the current scientific field and push humanity towards a more open and equitable scientific future.