The crypto market is more than just memes, and the quest to put features such as economic incentives and data control into practical use has never stopped.
Among them, DeSci (decentralized science) has always been a direction that has attracted much attention---through the transparency and incentives of blockchain, data owners can contribute data, track data usage and receive due rewards.
Recently, a new project called AminoChain announced on its official Twitter account that it has received US$5 million in seed round financing led by a16z; together with investments from other private funds such as Cercano, the project’s current total financing amount has reached 780 Ten thousand.
Image source: Shenchao TechFlow
AminoChain belongs to the pure DeSci track, applying the traceability and transparency of blockchain to the collection, contribution, use and remuneration of biological specimens in the medical and scientific research industries.
It is worth mentioning that public information shows that this is also the first time that top VC a16z has invested in a project on the DeSci track.
In a market where VC coins are not connected to each other and memes are flying everywhere, if crypto can do some good things for traditional industries, and if VC can really seriously invest in a project that can benefit other industries, it can be considered a success. The stock is correct and a different kind of clear flow.
Build a dedicated biobank on Layer2
Public information shows that Aminochain is building a decentralized “Biobank” on L2.
The so-called biobank can be understood as an on-chain platform that connects patients and volunteers at one end. They can upload their biological samples for use and research by medical and scientific research institutions; while the other end connects medical institutions so that they can safely Streamline sharing and processing of medical data in biobank networks.
With the design features of a public blockchain, researchers can easily find and access samples, while patients retain control and receive compensation for use of their data.
However, it is unclear whether AminoChain will build its own decentralized biobank on the existing Layer2, or whether it will build its own Layer2 to specifically handle "transactions" related to medical data and biological specimens.
Judging from the project name, the latter is more likely.
Regardless of the specific selection of technology, what is the motivation for building a decentralized biobank?
As the founder of AmimoChain said on his blog:
"Every year, thousands of people provide their blood, saliva and cancer tissue samples to the medical community, helping researchers develop life-saving new drugs for the benefit of humanity...Sadly, it is now difficult to obtain samples from these highly sensitive individuals. And the data collected in the data is one-way.
Biological sample donors are asked whether their samples can be used for scientific research, they sign a consent form, the researchers collect the biological samples, and then the two go their separate ways and have nothing to do with each other again. The process of donating a sample is a black box for donors, with consent rates currently as low as 25% at major institutions. "
Therefore, in the biological sample contribution industry, which we do not know much about, there are at least two problems:
Centralized control and storage of sample data creates huge obstacles to scientific progress and improved patient outcomes.
Inability to effectively track the source of samples and manage user consent.
To put it more bluntly, patients or volunteers have contributed their own biological samples. Even if they have made a contribution, they may not receive due compensation, and they may not even know the extent of their contribution.
AminoChain, then, is a technology that connects enterprise healthcare organizations on top of which healthcare applications can be built, and provides transparency to patients so they can finally know where their donations to society are going.
Install a node in the database of a traditional organization
How exactly does AminoChain do it?
The crux of the matter lies in AminoNode, a software package developed by the project.
Traditional medical or scientific research institutions are definitely not that proficient in encryption and blockchain, and their own information systems are also highly customized and closed.
Therefore, Amino's approach is to install its own software package AminoNode in the original organization's system while remaining unchanged. The name of this software package definitely looks more like a node of the Amimo network, but its function is different from the node we understand to verify whether the transaction is correct:
It is more like a data collector embedded in a traditional system and standardizes the data.
AminoNode can be integrated into the hospital or scientific research institution's own EMR, inventory management software, and data collection software. The data is kept on the server of the specific institution, and the node software unifies and standardizes the data into a common format so that it can be collaborated with or network interoperability.
因此，Node 軟體可以從所有提供商處獲取數據，並為網路帶來可信的中立性；在此基礎上，開發人員可以從眾多醫療機構獲取數據，並構建任意數量的以患者為中心的app.
Currently, AminoChain’s first application is called “Sample Center”, a peer-to-peer biological sample market.
Image source: Shenchao TechFlow
This marketplace allows researchers and collaborators to query their biospecimen collections, as well as the research assets available for their own use. Users can simplify licensing agreements between institutions, track sample and data usage, and maintain the complete provenance of biospecimens across a network of interoperable biobanks.
Due to the transparency and traceability of the market, the efficiency of use and communication of biological samples has obviously improved. Traditionally, researchers need to send emails back and forth for an average of 8 weeks to find the required samples, sign the license agreement and ship the samples. Now it is possible to click It's all done in one go.
Meanwhile, patients/sample donors track the whereabouts of their samples across the network, learn from the information generated by the samples, and earn back money when the samples are commercialized or sold.
For example, in the demo below, data such as blood and sweat contributed by patients in different periods can be seen in a management console. At the same time, the usage and flow of samples can also be traced on the blockchain (Layer 2).
Image source: Shenchao TechFlow
More than biological samples
The application of this sample market actually demonstrates the control that patients have over their own contributed data and the benefits they can obtain from it. But obviously it can be used in more than one scenario.
Medical institutions in the AminoChain network will be able to benefit from multiple decentralized applications such as clinical recruitment, clinical trial management, decentralized artificial intelligence and federated learning.
Ultimately, the project's vision is to create the world's first HIPAA and GDPR compliant blockchain for the healthcare industry - a platform on which any company, network, non-profit or independent scientist can acquire and build standards-compliant Healthcare data.
Image source: AminoChain
Due to the sensitivity and privacy of medical data, the on-chain storage and labeling of data must also be combined with corresponding privacy protection technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs, which can grant different usage rights to these data while declaring data control rights, and Earn revenue according to usage rules.
To be honest, the narrative of DeSci is also consistent with the spirit of the crypto community and Degens, that is, the maximization of personal rights and interests---patients are no longer the weakest link in the entire interest chain, allowing patients to be the first to participate Benefit from scientific research.
At the same time, we have also seen the emergence of more RWA, clean energy, DeSci and other projects recently.
When integration with more traditional industries becomes a trend, the definition of crypto as a casino may slowly change.
[Disclaimer] There are risks in the market, so investment needs to be cautious. This article does not constitute investment advice and users should consider whether any opinions, views or conclusions contained in this article are appropriate for their particular circumstances. Invest accordingly and do so at your own risk.
This article is reproduced with permission from: "Deep Wave TechFlow"
