Per a blog post published on Sept. 19, Nebula has rolled out anonymous genetic testing, enabling clients to purchase whole-genome sequencing and provide their saliva samples without the need to share their personal data such as name, address or credit card number.
Tech startup Nebula Genomics is launching DNA sequencing using blockchain, which eliminates the need for customers to reveal personal information.
To achieve this, Nebula developed and implemented a blockchain-based product that enables transparent and controllable data sharing, and offers an option to conduct pseudo-anonymous payments using cryptocurrencies.
For those customers who do not use digital currency, the company recommends using a prepaid credit card to protect their privacy.
Eliminating the dependence on data de-identification
“Most importantly, enabling individuals to remain anonymous would eliminate the dependence on data de-identification by personal genomics companies prior to data sharing with researchers”, the post reads. As such, Nebula offers anonymous sample collection by delivering saliva collection kits to USPS PO boxes.
This June, Nebula partnered with EMD Serono, the North American biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA – the world’s oldest operating pharmaceutical firm. In its collaboration with EMD Serono, Nebula provides the firm with access to its network of anonymized genomic data in order to support the research and development of new medicines.
At the time, Nebula also outlined that its agreement with EMD Serono represented its first attempt to realize a model of sponsored genome sequencing.
Increasing blockchain adoption by health industry
Earlier in September, blockchain network Harmony teamed up with a Lithuanian blockchain-powered health app firm Lympo to enable fast and secure health data sharing. Lympo is developing an incentivizing platform for healthy lifestyle activities like walking or running in order to boost the platform’s scalability.
According to global market research and consulting firm Global Market Insights, the value of the blockchain technology in healthcare market is expected to surpass $1.6 billion by 2025 due to a number of factors such as the implementation of government initiatives and increasing investment in the field.
Tech Behemoth IBM Files for a Blockchain-Enabled Web Browser Patent
American technology behemoth IBM has filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a blockchain-enabled web browser patent.
According to a patent application published on Aug. 6, IBM has filed a patent application for a system that stores web browser events on a blockchain. The browser described in the filing collects information during web browsing sessions and transfers it to peers in a peer-to-peer network for on-chain storage of the in-browser events.
Examples of data that could be stored on chain include: visited websites, bookmarks, search terms, cookies, geolocation and a record of browser security patches, among others. The author of the filing claims:
“The present invention affords a system for storing browsing information such that privacy is preserved and places privacy in the ‘hands of a user’ rather than a third party. ”
Earlier this month, IBM and blockchain company Chainyard launched a new blockchain network for supply chain management. The Trust Your Supplier network’s founding members also include American brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev, tech companies Cisco, Lenovo, Nokia, Schneider Electric, British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and telecoms company Vodafone.
As Cointelegraph reported in June, Norway-based internet browser company Opera has launched the iOS version of its blockchain-enabled mobile web browser, Opera Touch. In May, the cryptocurrency wallet integrated in Opera also received support for Tron (TRX) and TRC-standard tokens.
