#001 DeSci Weekly 🧬

On mapping the DeSci space, disrupting peer review, and overcoming the challenges ahead

Welcome to the first edition of DeSci Weekly. I’m super excited to make this happen. Thank you to everyone to reach out to me offering support and ideas. 

Over the coming weeks, I’ll try new formats and ideas in the newsletter to see what works and how this can be a valuable resource for the community. Please send me your feedback.

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I’m going to start this first newsletter but bringing back the definition of DeSci shared by Sarah Hamburg in her foundation article on the space “A Guide to DeSci, the Latest Web3 Movement”

“The DeSci movement aims to enhance scientific funding; unleash knowledge from silos; eliminate reliance on profit-hungry intermediaries such as publisher conglomerates, and increase collaboration across the field”.

We are currently seeing lots of projects in the funding space and fewer in the other spaces. But we are definitely seeing lots of energy behind these initiatives, so I couldn't be more excited about what’s coming. 

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Conversations worth following

Aaron Wright @awrigh01

People sleeping on DeSci. It’s growing exponentially

This DeSci map keeps being updated. Nowhere else, we are seeing so much innovation.

Dario Nelson @Dario_Nelson_

@StuartJRitchie #DeSci movement (Decentralized Science) that aims to disrupt the way scientific progress is being made by using blockchain technology. @talentDAO_ and @AntsReview are working towards a fairer peer review system. Let's discuss what tech can change!

D_Shariatmadari @D_Shariatmadari

This week's Big Idea: Should we get rid of scientific papers? A radical proposal by @StuartJRitchie https://t.co/lEXRoB8X8y

Finding a better peer review system is crucial not only for DeSci, but for science and our collective future.

k3nn.eth @k3nnethfrancis

3/ DeSci DAOs arguably the most significant. these DAOs are breaking the scientific status quo—siphoning power from the legacy institutions whose problematic incentive structures have slowed scientific progress these orgs will be the Bell Labs of the 21st century

I completely agree. I believe the potential of DeSci DAOs is much bigger than we imagine.

Tyler Golato @GolatoTyler

What might prevent #DeSci from succeeding? What are the biggest risks and challenges builders face? Some thoughts from me: lack of access/inclusivity, hypermonetization of science, poorly designed incentives, high technical barrier to entry, no reputation layer, impatient $, etc

There are lots of challenges to overcome in the next few years. This Twitter thread gives a good idea of the main challenges.

Ariella Coler-Reilly🏳️‍🌈💛🌸💊 @AriellaStudies

If you're out there saying web3 is more "inclusive" bc you can be anonymous, stop. 1st of all, the implication that women, POC, & LGBTQ folks can flourish by hiding our identities is not my idea of "inclusive." Ew tbh. 2nd, stop fronting, reality is this and we all know it. 👇

Rita Issa @DrRitaIssa

I went to my first web3 conference (#EthAmsterdam) and have come away with fresh-eyed hot takes 🤖 1/ Immediately noticeable (esp coming from healthcare) is that there's a LOT of men e.g. not unusual to be <10% women in the room

As we are building this space, it’s super important to keep it open and inclusive for everyone. Unfortunately, that’s not what we are seeing right now.

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Articles

A Guide to DeSci, the Latest Web3 Movement

A Guide to Decentralized Biotech

Biotechnology DAOs for Facilitating Development

DeSci - the New Web 3 Movement to Revolutionize Scientific Research & Funding

A DeSci Origin Story

Why metadata matters for bio x web3

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Other Resources

DeSci Wiki (make sure you contribute)

Podcast Interview: VitaDAO - Democratizing Longevity Research through the Blockchain (Tyler Golato and Laurence Ion)

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Events

DeSci.Berlin @DeSciBerlin

Less than 2 weeks until DeSci.Berlin 👩🏻‍🔬👨🏼‍🔬 We can't wait to host this first of its kind event in Berlin together with our frens at @vita_dao, @lab_dao, @PsyDAO_, @FlemingProtocol and @Molecule_dao Get your ticket here (only 88 spots left👀): meetup.com/molecule/event…

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Jobs

Molecule is hiring

DeSciWorld is hiring

Smart Contract Research Forum is hiring

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Want to see your events and job opportunities in this newsletter. Send them my way.