May 6, 2020
Citizen science is a movement that involves the public in conducting scientific research to find solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems.
Citizen Bioscience Definition
Like citizen science, citizen bioscience, or DIY biology, involves the public in analyzing gene data to better understand and improve scientific research. Citizen bioscience tracks genetic information data through new media technologies in order to generate personal gene data. For example, the public is starting to use DIY kits to test treatments and cures for various conditions and diseases.
Impact of COVID19 and Citizen Bioscience
Citizen bioscience carries big dreams for the future, and Covid-19 isn’t slowing down its trajectory. Due to the low-cost technologies, the surge of accessibility and connectedness, various cities are capitalizing on this new form of science in the face of this worldwide pandemic.
Our Content Writer Clara Mouawad sat down with Smruti Munshi, a top analyst at BCC Research, for a brief discussion about COVID19’s impact on the citizen bioscience industry.
Here’s what Smruti has to say:
A great initiative was strarted by UC San Francisco, titled COVID-19 Citizen Science (CCS). What this does is allow non-PHD citizens to become scientisst to help advance our understanding of this virus. And the best part? You don’t have to live in San Francisco in order to be a part of the initiative. In fact, it’s open to everyone around the world.
CCS works via a smartphone app, which allows people to upload data that will provide researchers the insight they need to understand the way the virus is spreading, and create ways to predict and reduce the amount of new cases. The researchers’ goal? To have 1 million users on the app. That’s a lot of citizen scientists, and that not only empowers them to help, but provides a very real way for them to do so.
Communication works both ways, with the researchers providing access to the data they are uncovering via maps, updates, and discoveries. This creates a wonderful dialogue between scientists and those helping them, and the more people involved, the more accurate the information they’ll be able to produce.
As with any emerging sector, there are bound to be challenges facing the citizen bioscience market. However, what programs such as CCS prove is that the market is only continuing to grow, providing researchers with more access to data than ever before.
Interested in joining the cause? Visit COVID-19 Citizen Science or COVID-19 Citizen Science Project.
For additional intel into the market for citizen bioscience, explore our full-length report, Citizen Bioscience: The Next Frontier?
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