Molecule Ecosystem, September 2024
Pump Science, New Catalyst Projects, $BIO Gensis, AthenaDAO IPT Launch, a16z Invests in DeSci, Zelar City Pop Up, and more!
DeSci is booming! New projects, token auctions, and product launches made September a month to remember (🎶do you remember🎶… never mind). We have a lot to cover this month, so let’s jump in.
Life is the Ultimate Multiplayer Game with Pump Science
Life is the ultimate multiplayer game, and death is the final boss none of us want to face. But what if you could develop your own infinite health cheat code? Enter Pump Science, where finding longevity treatments becomes a game anyone can play.
Using "Wormbot" (a rapid experimental platform developed by Ora Biomedical) to test potential life-extending compounds on C. elegans (tiny worms sharing 40% of our proteins), Pump Science lets users submit compounds, share in the IP, and stream the results. We're swapping financial yield (APY) for "time yield" – Percentage Life Extension (PLE).
Here's how it works:
Submit a regimen idea or back someone else's by buying tokens
Once the regimen reaches a certain market cap, the Wormbot experiment is run
Watch the experiment data stream as the regimen is tested on real worms
Buy tokens if you think the compounds can extend life and the regimen is valuable
This stadium science turns the Wormbot into a tokenized prediction market for longevity regimens. Whether you're grinding for XP by submitting your own treatment ideas or watching from the sidelines while backing others', Pump Science democratizes the quest for extending our playtime. It's the only game that isn't wasting time—it's creating it.
Ready to Pump Science? 🎮
Read the full blog article here.
Join the Pump Science Telegram.
New Catalyst Projects
Scientists are embracing onchain science to fund research on Catalyst. There are currently five active projects on Catalyst seeking funding: HempKnit, Ab4AD, ACCeleration, Prima Donnna, and See the Difference. Here is a bit about each project:
HempKnit by Dr. Georg Guebitz
Fast fashion is destroying the planet. But it doesn't have to be that way. HempKnit is engineering fibers that could outlast current fabrics, and surpass them in every way: from comfort to sustainability. The project has been sourced and managed by ValleyDAO and the terms for the IP have already been discussed and agreed upon between all parties. BeakerDAO is also set to get involved. You can support the project here & view the full pitch deck here. Wear the future.
Ab4AD by Dr. Daniel Bar
Ab4AD is imagining a future where we can teach our immune systems to defend against Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Daniel Z. Bar from Tel Aviv University is looking into the link between germ exposure, immune response, and the probability of developing AD, known as ‘The Pathogen Hypothesis.’ Despite a body of evidence, this angle has been under-explored due to the current focus on protein aggregation in the AD research world.
Prima Donna by Dr. Hannele Ruohola-Baker
Prima Donna aims to transform oral health by developing the first-ever treatment to regrow enamel, ensuring healthy smiles for life. Spearheaded by renowned stem cell researchers and dentists Dr. Hannele Ruohola-Baker, Dr. Julie Mathieu, and Dr. Jonathan An, this project utilizes breakthroughs in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to develop enamel-regenerating organoids. This is an important step towards developing a drug that can move us beyond mere symptom management to restore our natural ability to produce enamel.
See the Difference by Dr. Gian De Nicola
Our bodies manage stress through pathways, but when overactive, they can lead to diseases like retinopathy, which affects millions worldwide. Project See the Difference, led by Dr. Gian de Nicola from King’s College London, is seeking to develop a non-invasive treatment targeting the p38α-TAB1 pathway to prevent age-related vision loss, which would offer a safer alternative to current treatments like eye injections.
ACCelerate by Dr. Tiago Goncalves
ACCelerate aims to restore brain function through transplantable brain tissue. The project is spearheaded by Prof. Tiago Goncalves at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a leading expert in the field of neuronal circuitry. His groundbreaking work focuses on regenerating the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a vital part of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation, often affected in neurological conditions.
To stay updated with the latest listings on Catalyst, join the CataList.
BIO Genesis 2: Now Live
BIO Genesis 2, the second and final phase of BIO’s public token swap, kicked off on September 30th, marking a pivotal step in decentralizing the bioDAO ecosystem. Community members can participate in the event by swapping DeSci tokens (e.g. VITA, NEURON, GROW) or ETH for BIO, bootstrapping the network before the protocol goes live.
Over $8.75 million has been raised across both BIO Genesis events, with $3.74 million raised in Round 2 so far. Leading tokens by value swapped in this phase include VITA, GROW, and ETH
For more info on BIO Genesis, read the blog.
Join BIO Genesis 2
AthenaDAO's First IP-NFT Bears Fruit: Promising Results in Ovarian Aging Research
Athena DAO’s first IP-NFT from Dr. Mario Cordero’s project: “Understanding the role of the cGAS-STING pathway and senescence in ovarian aging” yielded positive results ahead of schedule!
With their ongoing commitment to advancing equitable and accessible scientific research, AthenaDAO is launching a crowdsale for Intellectual Property Tokens (IPTs) related to Dr. Cordero's groundbreaking work. With support from Molecule, this crowdsale enables community members to directly fund and co-develop the research project, truly embodying the spirit of DeSci.
After successfully raising $120,000 last year, Athena DAO is now seeking an additional $75,000 to support the next phase of research.
Learn more about the research in the blog.
Join our AMA on 23rd October at 18:00 CET to hear from the researcher.
Join us in Berlin for a DeSci Session!
Molecule has teamed up with Zelar City to host a DeSci gathering in the iconic DeSci Church on Saturday 26 October! You can expect good vibes, interesting talks, thought-provoking discussions, beautiful art, snacks & drinks, and a touch of networking! We look forward to hosting you 🫶
Agenda 🎟️
WTF is Decentralized Science? - Ella McCarthy-Page
What DeSci can do for Longevity - Laurence Ion
Bringing IP Onchain - Kevin Noessler
bio/acc workshop
A16z Enters DeSci - Leading a $5M Seed Round for Amino Chain
DeSci continues to have breakthrough moments as a16z crypto leads a $5 million seed round for AminoChain, marking their first venture into the DeSci space. This investment signals a significant shift in how traditional venture capital views the potential of DeSci to shake up the traditional biotech industry. A big congrats to the team - we’re looking forward to seeing what comes next!
A Message from Zelar City
You’re already in this fight. You’ve seen the breakthroughs. You’ve read the research. But here’s the real question: what comes next?
The answer? A new, experimental form of community building centered around a shared goal of curing aging. Zelar City is exactly that.
For six weeks, from Oct 5 to Nov 17, the brightest minds in longevity will gather in Berlin. Scientists, entrepreneurs, biohackers, and investors - working, brainstorming, and building solutions. This isn’t another virtual connection. This is real-life collaboration in a physical space where serendipity happens and new ideas are created.
Zelar City is a pop-up city, an extension of an online community with shared values. It’s where people committed to making death optional come together. We’re turning conversations into breakthroughs and ideas into solutions - all because the right people are in the same room, focused on the same mission: ending aging.
Apply now at www.zelar.city - before time’s running out!
Thanks for Reading!
If you enjoyed this read, subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated as the ecosystem grows. Please reach out to us with any questions or ideas, visit our website, or join our Discord to interact directly with our team. We’re really looking forward to joining forces with our community to create a world where patients directly fund researchers developing the next therapeutic breakthrough they need and building an open, inclusive, and collaborative ecosystem.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the individual authors and contributors. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment advice, endorsement, or recommendation. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with a professional advisor before making any investment decisions.
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