DTN 017: Decentralizing Longevity Research Funding
DTN 017: Decentralizing Longevity Research Funding
Plus: A new human genome project, Microsoft buys fusion energy, a battery you can eat, Texas wants to create a gold-backed digital currency, and more.
Welcome to The Deep Tech Newsletter, a weekly exploration of the business, science, and engineering behind the world’s most important frontier technologies.
On DeSci for Longevity Research: “The current landscape of longevity research is limited, with only a few major companies leading the charge. However, concentrating billions of dollars in a handful of large companies is not the most effective approach to innovation. Instead, fostering a diverse ecosystem of startups is crucial to unlocking new breakthroughs. VitaDAO addresses this need by enabling the funding of longevity projects in a crypto-first, crowdfunded manner.”
On Medical Innovation Zones: “In the future, VitaDAO aims to extend its impact beyond funding research and launching companies. By establishing a medical innovation zone — a special jurisdiction — we could facilitate the exploration of cutting-edge therapies and interventions that may contribute to increased longevity and overall well-being.”
The Big Picture
This new genome map tries to capture all human genetic variation
“Today, researchers announced yet another version of the human genome map, which they say combines the complete DNA of 47 diverse individuals—Africans, Native Americans, and Asians, among other groups—into one giant genetic atlas that they say better captures the surprising genetic diversity of our species. The new map, called a “pangenome,” has been a decade in the making, and researchers say it will only get bigger, creating an expanding view of the genome as they add DNA from another 300 people from around the globe.” (MIT Tech Review)
Your Dog Is a Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Cancer
“Dogs are not subject to the same federal regulations that limit treatment options for humans; veterinarians are much freer to use existing drugs off-label against diseases for which there aren’t currently good treatments. All told, this makes for quicker and cheaper clinical trials. Such trials are part of the Cancer Moonshot initiative that US president Joe Biden relaunched last year and for which he has asked Congress to provide an additional $2.8 billion in the 2024 budget.” (WIRED)
Microsoft Makes World’s First Commercial Purchase of Fusion Power from Helion Energy
“Helion has been working on its fusion technology for over a decade. To date, it has built six working prototypes and it expects its seventh prototype to demonstrate the ability to produce energy in 2024. With this in mind, Helion’s plant is expected to be online by 2028 and has a power generation target of 50MW, or greater, with a one-year ramp-up period.” (TechCrunch)
Deep Tech News
Crypto News
What is MiCA? The European Union’s Landmark Crypto Regulation Explained
Former Coinbase Product Manager Gets Two Years For Insider Trading
US Chamber of Commerce Slams SEC, Backs Coinbase in Legal Fight
Peer Review
Nonabelions observed in quantum computer could make them less prone to errors
Breakthrough research could bring stem cell therapy to the masses
Funding x M&A
DEEP TECH
UK greenlights $7.3B merger between satellite rivals Viasat and Inmarsat
Wingcopter, Germany’s drone delivery startup, raises another $44M from the EIB
‘AI-powered’ VC firm Vela emerges from stealth with $25M under management
Optain, an AI startup using photos of the eye to detect and prevent early-stage disease, raised a $12M seed
CRYPTO
Blocktorch, an observability platform for web3 engineers, raised a $4.2M seed
Crypto media firm Blockworks raised $12M at a $135M valuation
Webb Protocol, a privacy system for cross-blockchain asset transfers, raised a $7M seed round
Miscellanea
What Really Made Geoffrey Hinton Into an AI Doomer / People are trying to claim real videos are deepfakes in court / The Leverage of LLMs for Individuals / Why longtermism is the world’s most dangerous secular credo / Solar-powered balloons detect mysterious sounds in the stratosphere / GM plans to return to Europe as an EV-only brand / FDA panel votes in favor of first OTC birth control pill / This 23-Year Old Snapchat Star Can Be Your AI Girlfriend
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