As many of you know, over the past two years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the exciting world of web3, particularly focusing on its impact in the health sector, marketing, and the intersection of these two fields.

On September 8th and 9th, this year’s edition of DeSci Berlin took place.

I’m thrilled to have attended in person, getting closer to the people and projects driving decentralized science globally.

In this blog post, I share the key takeaways from the event.

Decentralized Science: Paving the Way for a New Scientific Paradigm

In the dynamic landscape of modern science, there’s an emerging movement that promises to revolutionize how we approach research and collaboration: Decentralized Science (DeSci). The core idea is not just about building a new infrastructure but also reimagining communication and establishing a fresh cultural layer within the scientific community.

Paul Kohlhaas, the CEO and Co-founder of Molecule, delved deep into this topic during his opening talk at DeSci Berlin. As a driving force behind this transformative movement, Kohlhaas’s insights provide a glimpse into the future of science and research, where decentralization plays a pivotal role:

• Empower scientists with finance and ownership technology

• Make science permissionless

• Make scientific outputs self-sovereign

• Make science more accessible, participatory and transparent

Transparent governance, facilitated by tokens, stands as a foundational pillar for trust, accountability, and seamless coordination in DeSci.

The Significance of Bio DAOs in Modern Research

Vincent Weisser, an expert in AI and Ecosystems at MoleculeDAO, shared his insights at the conference, shedding light on the paramount importance of Bio DAOs.

Here are the key reasons Weisser highlighted:

1. Patient- and Enthusiast Mission – Driven Community: Bio DAOs are rooted in the needs and experiences of patients. This patient-centric approach ensures that the community’s interests align with the primary goals of the research, fostering a genuine commitment to tangible outcomes.

2. Networked, Truly Open Research: With the internet as its foundation, Bio DAOs promote an open environment for research. This transparency not only bolsters trust but also drives innovative solutions by embracing a diverse range of perspectives.

3. Global Access and Collaboration: No longer confined by geographical limitations or traditional institutional barriers, Bio DAOs facilitate worldwide collaboration. This globalized approach amplifies the potential for groundbreaking discoveries by leveraging a broader spectrum of expertise.

4. Applied Meta-Science Playground: Beyond traditional research, Bio DAOs also serve as platforms for meta-science, allowing for the exploration of the very methods and processes of science itself in real-world scenarios.

Weisser also pinpointed challenges facing science today that can be potentially addressed through the decentralization that Bio DAOs offer:

• Funding: Decentralized platforms can democratize access to resources.

• Replication: Ensuring the validity of studies through repeated experiments.

• Competition: Fostering a healthy competitive environment that drives innovation.

• Communication: Streamlining and making scientific communication more effective.

The world of decentralized science is poised for transformative growth, and Bio DAOs are at the helm of this exciting evolution.

Big Pharma & DeSci

Michael Baran, Partner of Pfizer Ventures and Executive Director, Worldwide R&D Pfizer Inc. captivated the stage with his perspective on “R&D 2030: Decentralized Pools of Innovation as Novel Sources of Therapeutic Substrate.”

Baran underscored the immense potential that decentralized R&D models hold. Pfizer has taken a bold step into the future by being the first pharmaceutical company investing in the VitaDAO Web3 DeSci space for funding projects like ExcepGen, which is aimed to to construct a universal pan-flu vaccine that harnesses the advantages of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) while minimizing the associated inflammatory drawbacks.

Pfizer groundbreaking collaboration with VitaDAO is evidence of Big Pharma’s increasing commitment to decentralized science.

This evolving approach by industry giants like Pfizer signifies more than just a trend. It marks the beginning of a profound shift in the landscape of innovation, indicating a promising horizon for science and research in the years to come.

Women’s Health & Web3

Transitioning to women’s health, Laura Minquini took the stage to discuss AthenaDAO. During her compelling presentation, she highlighted a moving quote: “Welcome to the girl economy.” This sentiment underscored the organization’s noble mission to financially support Women’s Health Research through innovative Web3 DeSci approaches.

AthenaDAO is a decentralized community of researchers, funders, and advocates working to advance women’s health research, education, and funding.

Their first funded project is ¨Understanding the role of the cGAS-STING pathway and senescence in the ovarian aging” with 120.000 US $ through an IP-NFT (intellectual property non-fungible token). Dr. Mario Cordero, Principal Investigator at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla (UPO) is working on this project.

Brain Longevity: The Challenge of Our Age

Brian Magierski, founder of CerebrumDAO, encapsulated a modern health paradox with a thought-provoking statement: “Our bodies are outliving our brains.” With increasing life expectancy, there’s a pressing need to ensure our cognitive health matches our physical longevity.

CerebrumDAO global community stands as a beacon of hope, uniting minds and resources to advance brain health. They’re not just focused on mitigating cognitive decline; they’re also pioneering ways to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. As a collective, they source, brainstorm, and fund potential solutions, truly embodying the spirit of decentralized innovation.

CerebrumDAO’s mission is monumental – they’re zeroing in on what’s been termed the ‘Brain Longevity Moonshot’. This initiative seeks not just to understand the brain better but to ensure its health across an extended human lifespan.

Decentralizing Synthetic Biology

Morgan Richards, community gardner at ValleyDAO talked about the mission of this innovative DeSci project:

Synthetic biology uses organisms to create sustainable goods like animal-free meat, nutrients, and medicines. Given the challenges of climate change and food security, access to these technologies is vital.

ValleyDAO, a global community, funds and collaborates on academic and independent research projects. They ensure these findings have real-world impact. Moreover, their simplified application process is a testament to their commitment to fostering innovation

Tackling Hair Loss in an open source way

Andrew Verbinnen and Andrew Bakst , both co-founders of HairDAO delivered a keynote sharing their groundbreaking project:

HairDAO is revolutionizing research and development for hair loss treatments using an open-source and democratic approach. Positioned at the crossroads of crypto and hair loss research, this groundbreaking initiative fosters a unique collaboration where researchers and patients unite as one.

Despite the high demand, research for androgenic alopecia has historically received limited funding. HairDAO aims to change this narrative. As a patient-owned, mission-driven organization, their primary objective is to ensure that hair loss becomes a relic of the past, asserting that patients not only deserve better solutions but also deserve a say in the solutions they fund.

HairDAO’s top prioritized investment – Thyroid Hormone Study – is under the direction of Dr. Ralf Paus. The DAO is awaiting the results of the study and currently fielding submissions for its next studies.

Death sucks. Let’s try to do something

These were the poignant words of Dr. Emil Kendziorra wrapping up his keynote at conference.

With growing interest in cryopreservation, it’s surprising that research in the field hasn’t kept pace. Even modest funding could lead to major breakthroughs, such as the development of new cryoprotective agents to minimize toxicity or the establishment of specialized cryoprotection protocols tailored to ischemia.

CryoDAO is squarely focused on this mission. Their primary goal? To channel investments into cryopreservation research projects that promise to enhance both the quality and capabilities of this vital field.

And that’s everything I experienced and learned firsthand at the conference.

I met some incredibly interesting, passionate, and visionary people. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a sense of sharing a common goal, which, although still in its early stages, is already a reality. The best is yet to come.

Let’s continue building this web3 space where there are no walls.

Ángel González