A recent editorial in the scientific journal Nature, particularly in its Nature Biotechnology section, has hailed the emergence of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) as a revolutionary approach that could significantly benefit researchers working in underfunded scientific domains. DAOs offer these researchers a unique avenue to build a community around their projects and access funding that might otherwise be elusive.
In a research initiative powered by a DAO, various aspects such as project organization, fundraising, feedback collection, and the overall pipeline from discovery to product development can be overseen by the same decentralized governing body.
The Nature article emphasized that this approach could streamline the workflow in comparison to the current system: "Project proposals are sent to the DAO, and each DAO member can vote on whether a particular project should be funded. Members own tokens... to provide support and feedback for new project proposals. As the project progresses, research findings are also shared with the DAO, encouraging further engagement and feedback. Eventually, the project could culminate in IP-NFTs (Intellectual Property Non-Fungible Tokens), similar to patents, owned by the DAO and managed collectively by all token holders."
DAOs are built on blockchain technology, which underpins their transparent and decentralized nature. This means that no single entity or institution can exert control over them. Within the scientific community, this decentralization allows for the democratization of project funding and fosters community involvement.
Traditionally, scientists based at prestigious institutions in countries with higher GDPs have had easier access to substantial funding and greater research potential. This disparity has exacerbated the "brain drain" phenomenon, where scientists from less-funded regions migrate to conduct research in wealthier areas.
DAOs, in contrast, do not necessarily adhere to geographical boundaries, potentially enabling them to be driven by the needs and aspirations of research scientists rather than the financial interests of countries, universities, or corporations that typically fund research. The editorial in Nature suggested that DAOs could emerge as a vital platform for underfunded researchers but noted that their widespread adoption would require further education.
Overcoming this challenge involves helping potential DAO members recognize that a DAO is not just a funding agency but also a community of individuals deeply committed to supporting specific scientific causes.
