BioNFT-Ensilicated Genomes

Enabling Perpetual Family Ownership of Ambient-Preserved Genomic Data Through Blockchain Notarization

Authors: Daniel Uribe, MBA, Electronics Engineer, PhD Candidate (GenoBank.io)
In collaboration with Cache DNA, Inc. and Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases
Date: November 7, 2025 | Version: 1.0

BioNFT-Ensilicated Genomes: A Whitepaper

Enabling Perpetual Family Ownership of Ambient-Preserved Genomic Data Through Blockchain Notarization

Authors: Daniel Uribe, MBA, Electronics Engineer, PhD Candidate (GenoBank.io) In collaboration with Cache DNA, Inc. and Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases

Date: November 7, 2025 Version: 1.0

Executive Summary

We propose the integration of GenoBank’s BioNFT (Biosample Non-Fungible Token) blockchain ownership system with Cache DNA’s ensilication ambient preservation technology to create the world’s first infrastructure-independent, family-owned genomic biobanking system.

Key Innovation: By encoding BioNFT notarization claims directly into the ensilication metadata layer, we enable:

1. Perpetual Family Ownership – Families retain cryptographic ownership of ensilicated genomes across generations
2. Ambient Storage – No cold-chain infrastructure required for decades-long preservation
3. Institutional Custody with Patient Control – Research facilities can physically store samples while families maintain sovereign ownership
4. Cryptographic Provenance – Complete audit trail from collection → ensilication → sequencing → data sharing

Scientific Validation: Recent clinical validation (Ferrasse et al., 2025) demonstrates that ensilicated DNA preserves sequencing quality equivalent to -80°C freezing, including successful resolution of variants in segmentally duplicated regions (GTF2I locus) and detection of disease-specific methylation episignatures (KDM2A) from ambient-stored samples.

Impact: This partnership addresses the critical problem revealed by 23andMe's bankruptcy: 15 million customers had zero say in the disposition of their genomic data because they never owned it—they only rented access.

Strategic Value: - For Cache DNA: Blockchain-verified provenance for every ensilicated sample, enabling new commercial models (family vaults, generational inheritance) - For GenoBank.io: Physical preservation solution that matches our digital ownership model’s multi-generational vision - For Patients/Families: True ownership of physical specimens + genomic data, portable across institutions, inheritable across generations

Market Opportunity: 15M+ 23andMe customers lost control of their genomic data in bankruptcy proceedings (2025). This partnership offers an alternative: families own the physical specimen AND the digital rights.

1. Introduction: The Ownership Gap in Genomic Medicine

1.1 Terminology: Biosample NFTs

Biosample NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are blockchain-based digital certificates that represent ownership of a physical biological specimen. Think of them as cryptographic "deeds" to biosamples—just as a house deed proves property ownership, a Biosample NFT proves specimen ownership.

We use the shorthand "BioNFT" throughout this document for brevity, but the full term is "Biosample NFT."

Key Properties:

• Unique: Each Biosample NFT is one-of-a-kind, tied to a specific specimen
• Transferable: Can be gifted, sold, or inherited (like transferring a house deed)
• Programmable: Smart contracts enforce consent terms, access rights, and royalty shares
• Immutable: Blockchain ensures tamper-proof ownership history

Why This Matters: Traditional biobanks issue "consent forms" which are revocable permissions, not ownership. Biosample NFTs flip this model: the patient owns the specimen and grants conditional access through smart contracts. If consent is revoked, the NFT metadata updates and access is automatically terminated.

1.2 The Problem

Current State: - Cold-Chain Dependence: DNA samples require -80°C freezers for long-term storage, restricting genomics to well-resourced institutions - Ownership Fragmentation: Patients lose control when samples enter biobanks; recent 23andMe bankruptcy showed 15M customers had zero say in data disposition - Generational Disconnect: Families cannot maintain custody of genomic samples across generations due to infrastructure requirements - Trust Deficit: Biobanks hold physical specimens; patients granted “access rights” but not true ownership

Recent Validation of the Problem: - March 2025: 23andMe files for bankruptcy - July 2025: Acquired by TTAM Research Institute for $305M – patients had no voice in sale of their genomic data - 2025: Multiple research groups implementing blockchain biobanking (Dewan et al., Sanchez et al.) – demonstrating market demand but lacking foundational citations to prior art

1.2 The Convergence

Two recent innovations address complementary aspects of this problem:

GenoBank.io BioNFTs (2019-2024): - Blockchain-based ownership of biospecimens and derived genomic data - US Patent 11,915,808 B1 (issued Feb 27, 2024) - Revocable consent via NFT burn mechanism - Smart contract-gated data access

Cache DNA Ensilication (2021-2025): - Silica-encapsulated DNA preservation at ambient temperature - Equivalent to -80°C freezing for molecular length, sequence fidelity, and methylation patterns - Published validation: Ferrasse et al., medRxiv 2025.10.26.25338579 - Clinical-grade: Undiagnosed Diseases Network case studies

Neither technology alone solves the ownership+preservation challenge. Together, they enable a new paradigm.

2. Technology Overview

2.1 GenoBank BioNFT Architecture

Core Components:

1. BioNFT (ERC-721): Non-fungible token representing ownership of a specific biospecimen
   • Minted when patient deposits specimen into barcoded tube
   • Contains metadata: GPS location, timestamp, biorepository ID, consent terms
   • Stored on Avalanche C-Chain (Story Protocol integration for IP licensing)
2. Blockchain Notarization:
   • Every custody transfer creates immutable blockchain record
   • Smart contracts enforce consent terms
   • Patient can revoke consent by burning NFT (GDPR Article 17 compliance)
3. Decentralized Access Control:
   • Bloom filter-based privacy-preserving permission checks
   • No central authority can override patient consent
   • Researchers request access via smart contract proposals

Key Principle: > The patient owns the biospecimen NFT. Ownership of the NFT grants ownership of derived data. Transfer of the NFT transfers all downstream rights.

2.2 Cache DNA Ensilication Protocol

Technical Mechanism:

1. Encapsulation: DNA molecules are encapsulated within silica-based nanoparticles
2. Ambient Storage: Silica matrix protects DNA from:
   • Mechanical fragmentation
   • Hydrolytic damage
   • Oxidative damage
   • Enzymatic degradation
3. Reversible Process: De-encapsulation retrieves intact DNA for sequencing (5-minute protocol)

Validated Performance (Ferrasse et al., 2025): - Molecular Length: N50 8,094-10,807 bp (equivalent to frozen) - Sequence Quality: Q-scores 18.1-18.9 (no degradation) - Methylation Preservation: Pearson correlation 0.93-0.95 vs frozen samples - Clinical Utility: Successfully diagnosed rare disease patients (GTF2I, KDM2A cases) - Stability: 30 days ambient storage tested; accelerated aging suggests decades possible

Key Principle: > Ensilication removes infrastructure dependence. DNA can be stored at room temperature for years-to-decades while maintaining clinical-grade sequencing quality.

3. Integration Architecture: BioNFT-Ensilicated Genomes

3.1 Encoding BioNFT Claims into Ensilication

Proposed Integration:

During ensilication, we encode the BioNFT blockchain notarization into the physical specimen metadata layer:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ENSILICATED SPECIMEN                                   │
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │  DNA + Silica Matrix                           │    │
│  │  (Ambient-Stable, Decades-Long Preservation)  │    │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘    │
│                                                         │
│  EMBEDDED METADATA LAYER:                              │
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │  • QR/Barcode: Links to BioNFT on blockchain   │    │
│  │  • NFT Contract Address: 0x...                 │    │
│  │  • Token ID: Unique identifier                 │    │
│  │  • Blockchain Network: Avalanche C-Chain       │    │
│  │  • Ownership Wallet Address: 0x...             │    │
│  │  • Ensilication Timestamp (notarized)          │    │
│  │  • Consent Terms Hash (IPFS CID)               │    │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Technical Implementation:

1. At Ensilication:
   • Patient provides wallet address (signs message “I consent to ensilication”)
   • BioNFT metadata updated with ensilicated: true + ensilication_date + storage_facility_id
   • Blockchain transaction creates immutable record
   • QR code/barcode on ensilicated specimen links to on-chain NFT
2. At Storage Facility:
   • Facility scans barcode → Reads BioNFT address from blockchain
   • Facility operates as custodian, not owner
   • All access requests require smart contract verification of patient consent
3. For Sequencing:
   • Researcher requests access via blockchain smart contract
   • Patient reviews request in BioWallet (browser extension)
   • Patient approves/denies (signature creates on-chain record)
   • If approved: Facility de-encapsulates specimen, performs sequencing
   • Sequencing results encrypted with patient’s public key
   • Data uploaded to patient’s decentralized storage (AWS S3 gated by BioNFT ownership)
4. For Inheritance (Generational Transfer):
   • Parent transfers BioNFT to child’s wallet address
   • On-chain transaction updates current_owner field
   • Physical specimen remains at facility, but ownership rights transfer
   • Child can now authorize sequencing, data sharing, or specimen retrieval

Workflow Diagram:

PATIENT                BLOCKCHAIN              FACILITY              RESEARCHER
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |-- Deposit specimen --->|                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |<-- Mint BioNFT --------|                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |-- Ship to facility --->|                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |<-- Receive specimen --|                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |-- Ensilicate() ------>|                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |<--------------------- Scan barcode           |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |<-------------------------------- Request access
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |<-- Notification -------|                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |-- Approve ------------>|                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |-- Access granted ----------------------------------->|
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |-- De-encapsulate --->|
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |                        |                       |<-- Sequence data ----|
   |                        |                       |                      |
   |<-- Encrypted results --|                       |                      |

4. Strategic Value Proposition

4.1 For Families (Patients)

Benefits:

1. True Ownership:
   • Physical specimen preserved indefinitely at ambient temperature
   • Cryptographic ownership via BioNFT (transferable, inheritable)
   • No reliance on institutional goodwill for access
2. Generational Inheritance:
   • Transfer BioNFT to children/grandchildren
   • Future generations can authorize re-sequencing with newer technologies
   • Example: Child inherits parent’s 2025 ensilicated genome → Re-sequences in 2050 with improved long-read tech → Detects previously missed variants
3. GDPR Compliance:
   • Right to erasure: Burn BioNFT → Smart contract triggers deletion of digital data + return/destruction of physical specimen
   • Right to portability: Transfer BioNFT → New owner can retrieve specimen from facility
   • Right to restrict processing: Modify consent terms in NFT metadata → Facility cannot sequence without new approval
4. Revenue Participation:
   • If genomic data used in research/drug development, smart contract enforces revenue sharing
   • Example: Pharma company licenses access to 1,000 rare disease genomes → Patients receive proportional micropayments

4.2 For Cache DNA, Inc.

Commercial Opportunities:

1. Family Genome Vaults:
   • Offer ambient-preserved genome storage as a service
   • Business Model: Annual storage fee ($100-500/year) for ensilicated genome with BioNFT ownership
   • Target Market:
     • Rare disease families (want to preserve specimens for future re-analysis)
     • Healthy families (preventive genomics for children/grandchildren)
     • High-net-worth individuals (genetic legacy preservation)
2. Institutional B2B:
   • Biobanks adopt ensilication to reduce operational costs (no -80°C freezers)
   • GenoBank BioNFT integration provides compliance layer (GDPR, consent management)
   • Revenue Model: Per-specimen ensilication fee + blockchain notarization service fee
3. Generational Inheritance Product:
   • “Genome Inheritance Kit” – Ensilicated specimen + BioNFT + legal trust documentation
   • Market to estate planning attorneys, wealth management firms
   • Positioning: “Like a safety deposit box for your family’s genetic legacy”
4. Research Enablement:
   • Partner with Undiagnosed Diseases Network, rare disease consortia
   • Ambient-preserved specimens enable field collection (no cold-chain shipping)
   • BioNFT ensures patient consent compliance throughout research lifecycle

4.3 For GenoBank.io

Strategic Benefits:

1. Physical-Digital Convergence:
   • Previously: BioNFTs represented ownership but specimens still required -80°C (institutional lock-in)
   • Now: Ensilication enables true patient custody (can store at home, community biobank, or transfer between facilities)
2. Competitive Differentiation:
   • Only blockchain biobanking platform with ambient preservation partner
   • Direct response to 23andMe bankruptcy crisis: “Your genome, your custody, forever”
3. Decentralized Biobank Network:
   • Enable community biobanks (churches, patient advocacy groups) to store specimens
   • No cold-chain infrastructure required → Dramatically lowers barrier to entry
   • Example: Rare disease patient advocacy group collects specimens from 500 families → Stores ensilicated samples in room-temperature vault → Patients retain BioNFT ownership → Group negotiates research partnerships with patient consent
4. Global Health Applications:
   • Deploy in resource-limited settings (Sub-Saharan Africa, rural Latin America)
   • Collect genomic specimens for infectious disease surveillance, population genetics research
   • No refrigeration required → Mobile health clinics can collect+ensilicate on-site

4.4 For Research Institutions

Operational Benefits:

1. Cost Reduction:
   • Eliminate -80°C freezer maintenance costs (~$1,000-2,000/year per freezer)
   • Reduce energy consumption, carbon footprint
   • Free up lab space (room-temperature storage is compact)
2. Compliance Automation:
   • BioNFT smart contracts enforce consent terms programmatically
   • Blockchain audit trail for IRB/ethics board review
   • GDPR compliance built-in (patient can revoke via NFT burn)
3. Patient Trust:
   • Patients more willing to donate specimens when they retain ownership
   • Transparent consent process (blockchain-verified)
   • Revenue sharing models incentivize participation

Use Case: Stanford Undiagnosed Diseases Network

Current workflow (Ferrasse et al., 2025): 1. Patient enrolls in UDN 2. Blood sample collected → Frozen at -80°C 3. Sequencing performed when funding available (months-years later) 4. Patient has limited visibility into sample custody

BioNFT-Ensilicated workflow: 1. Patient enrolls → Receives BioWallet (browser extension) 2. Blood sample collected → Ensilicated on-site (Cache DNA protocol) 3. BioNFT minted → Patient owns NFT in their wallet 4. Specimen stored at ambient temperature at Stanford 5. When sequencing funded: Stanford requests access via smart contract → Patient approves via BioWallet 6. If diagnostic: Patient can share ensilicated specimen with other researchers (second opinions) without returning to Stanford 7. After study complete: Patient can retrieve specimen or transfer to another institution (BioNFT transfer)

5. Use Cases and Pilot Opportunities

5.1 Rare Disease Family Genome Vault

Scenario:

The Smith family has 3 children with an ultra-rare genetic disorder (prevalence 1 in 1,000,000). Standard clinical testing has been non-diagnostic. They want to preserve genomic specimens for: - Future re-sequencing as technology improves - Sharing with multiple research groups - Passing to next generation (genetic counseling for grandchildren)

Implementation:

1. Collection: Family physician collects blood samples from all 5 family members (parents + 3 affected children)
2. Ensilication: Samples sent to Cache DNA facility → Ensilicated (3 days turnaround)
3. BioNFT Minting: Each specimen receives unique BioNFT → Minted to parents’ BioWallet
4. Storage Options:
   • Option A: Store at Cache DNA facility (annual fee: $200/specimen)
   • Option B: Return ensilicated specimens to family (store at home in safe)
   • Option C: Transfer to patient advocacy group biobank (The Smith Syndrome Foundation)
5. Research Participation:
   • Year 2025: Share specimens with Stanford UDN → Long-read sequencing → No diagnosis yet
   • Year 2028: New gene discovery published → Family re-sequences → Diagnostic variant found in GENE X
   • Year 2035: Affected child (now adult) has own children → Re-sequences family specimens → Provides genetic counseling
6. Inheritance:
   • Parents create estate plan → BioNFTs transferred to affected children upon death
   • Children now own parents’ genomic specimens → Can authorize research, therapeutic development

Economic Model: - Ensilication cost: $500/specimen x 5 = $2,500 (one-time) - Storage fee: $200/specimen/year x 5 = $1,000/year - Research access fees: $1,000/study (patients set pricing via smart contract) - If diagnostic treatment developed: Revenue sharing via smart contract (1% of sales → Patient NFT holders)

5.2 Decentralized Rare Disease Biobank

Scenario:

“The KDM2A Foundation” (patient advocacy group for KDM2A-related neurodevelopmental disorder) wants to create a biobank of 200 patient specimens to accelerate research.

Challenges with Traditional Model: - Need $100K+ to set up -80°C freezer infrastructure - Patients nervous about donating specimens to centralized biobank (loss of control) - Geographic dispersion (patients across 15 countries)

BioNFT-Ensilicated Solution:

1. Distributed Collection:
   • Foundation partners with local physicians in each country
   • Each patient collects blood sample → Shipped to regional Cache DNA facility → Ensilicated
   • BioNFT minted to patient’s BioWallet
2. Virtual Biobank:
   • Physical specimens stored at 5 regional Cache DNA facilities (no single point of failure)
   • Foundation creates “Research DAO” (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)
   • DAO proposes research partnerships → Patients vote on proposals via BioNFT governance tokens
3. Research Access:
   • Pharma company proposes study: “Genotype-phenotype correlation in KDM2A cohort”
   • DAO presents proposal to all 200 patient NFT holders
   • Patients vote (weighted by # of specimens they own)
   • If >66% approve: Smart contract grants access
   • Specimens shipped to pharma company’s lab (de-encapsulated for sequencing)
   • Results returned to patients (encrypted with their public keys)
4. Revenue Sharing:
   • Pharma company pays $500K for study access
   • Smart contract distributes: 70% to patients ($350K / 200 = $1,750 per family), 20% to Foundation, 10% to Cache DNA

Strategic Value: - For Foundation: Can create world-class biobank without infrastructure investment - For Patients: Retain ownership, participate in governance, receive compensation - For Researchers: Access to well-characterized cohort with consented specimens

5.3 Global Health Surveillance (Infectious Disease)

Scenario:

WHO wants to monitor genetic diversity of emerging infectious diseases (e.g., next pandemic virus) across Africa.

Current Challenges: - Rural health clinics lack -80°C freezers - Cold-chain shipping unreliable (samples degrade in transit) - Centralized biobanks in capital cities create bottleneck

BioNFT-Ensilicated Solution:

1. Mobile Collection:
   • WHO deploys mobile health clinics to 100 rural sites
   • Each clinic has portable ensilication kit (no refrigeration needed)
   • Patients provide blood/saliva sample → Ensilicated on-site (48-hour protocol)
2. BioNFT Ownership:
   • Each specimen minted as BioNFT → Owned by patient
   • Patient can authorize WHO sequencing OR opt-out
   • If commercial use (vaccine development): Revenue sharing enforced by smart contract
3. Ambient Shipping:
   • Ensilicated specimens shipped to regional lab at room temperature (DHL/FedEx standard shipping)
   • No dry ice, no time pressure → Lower cost, higher reliability
4. Privacy-Preserving Surveillance:
   • WHO sequences specimens → Identifies emerging variants
   • Genomic data encrypted with patient public keys
   • Population-level statistics published (no individual identifiers)
   • If patient requests deletion: BioNFT burn → Data erased (GDPR compliance even in low-resource settings)

Economic Impact: - Cost Reduction: Eliminate cold-chain logistics ($1M+ per surveillance network) - Speed: Ambient shipping = 3-5 days vs 1-2 days for cold-chain (acceptable for surveillance) - Patient Empowerment: Communities retain ownership of genetic data (avoids exploitation concerns)

6. Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Proof-of-Concept (Q1-Q2 2026)

Objectives: - Validate BioNFT integration with ensilication protocol - Demonstrate blockchain notarization → ensilication → sequencing → data return workflow - Publish results in peer-reviewed journal (target: Nature Biotechnology or Genome Medicine)

Activities:

1. Technical Development (2 months):
   • Extend GenoBank BioNFT smart contracts with ensilicate() function
   • Develop QR code generation for ensilicated specimens (links to blockchain NFT)
   • Integrate Cache DNA ensilication metadata with IPFS-stored consent terms
2. Pilot Study (3 months):
   • Recruit 20 families from Stanford Undiagnosed Diseases Network
   • Collect blood samples → Ensilicate at Cache DNA facility
   • Mint BioNFTs → Transfer ownership to patients
   • Perform long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore)
   • Return genomic data to patients (encrypted, BioNFT-gated access)
3. Validation Metrics:
   • Technical: Sequencing quality from ensilicated specimens matches frozen controls
   • UX: Patient satisfaction with BioWallet ownership experience (target: >90% approval)
   • Compliance: Smart contract enforcement of consent terms (100% compliance with patient approvals/denials)

Deliverables: - Peer-reviewed manuscript - Open-source smart contract code (GitHub) - White paper (this document, refined with pilot data)

Budget: - Ensilication: $500/specimen x 20 = $10,000 - Sequencing: $2,000/specimen x 20 = $40,000 - Blockchain development: $50,000 (smart contracts, BioWallet UI) - Total: $100,000

Phase 2: Clinical Deployment (Q3-Q4 2026)

Objectives: - Launch “Family Genome Vault” commercial product (Cache DNA + GenoBank partnership) - Onboard 100 families (rare disease focus) - Demonstrate generational transfer (parent → child BioNFT transfer)

Activities:

1. Product Development:
   • Cache DNA: Operationalize ambient storage service ($200/specimen/year)
   • GenoBank: Launch BioWallet mobile app (iOS/Android) for easier patient access
   • Legal: Draft template contracts for specimen custody, BioNFT inheritance
2. Go-to-Market:
   • Partner with rare disease patient advocacy groups (KDM2A Foundation, GTF2I families, etc.)
   • Present at conferences: ASHG (American Society of Human Genetics), ACMG (American College of Medical Genetics)
   • Press release: “World’s First Blockchain-Owned, Ambient-Preserved Genome Vault”
3. Regulatory:
   • Consult with FDA (if applicable – likely exempt as research use only)
   • Ensure HIPAA compliance for US patients
   • GDPR compliance for European patients (already built into BioNFT architecture)

Deliverables: - 100 families enrolled - Revenue: $200/specimen/year x 200 specimens (avg 2 per family) = $40,000/year recurring - Case studies: 5 families publish testimonials

Budget: - Product development: $100,000 - Marketing: $50,000 - Regulatory/legal: $30,000 - Total: $180,000

Phase 3: Research Network Expansion (2027)

Objectives: - Partner with 5 academic medical centers (Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, etc.) - Create “BioNFT-Ensilicated Research Consortium” - Demonstrate cost savings vs traditional biobanking (target: 50% reduction in operational costs)

Activities:

1. Institutional Onboarding:
   • Each institution adopts ensilication for new specimen collections
   • BioNFT minted for each specimen → Patients own NFTs
   • Blockchain-based consent management replaces legacy IRB systems
2. Interoperability:
   • Patient can transfer BioNFT between institutions (e.g., Stanford → Mayo for second opinion)
   • Specimen physically transferred OR accessed remotely (if both institutions store ensilicated backup)
3. Research Acceleration:
   • Enable cross-institutional studies without complex data sharing agreements (patients authorize via BioNFT)
   • Example: Stanford+Johns Hopkins jointly study 500 KDM2A patients → Patients approve via smart contract → Data pooled automatically

Deliverables: - 5 institutions operational - 1,000 patients enrolled - Published cost-benefit analysis: “Ensilication + BioNFT vs Traditional Biobanking”

Budget: - Institutional integration: $200,000 (training, smart contract deployment) - Research coordination: $100,000 - Total: $300,000

Phase 4: Global Health Deployment (2028+)

Objectives: - Deploy BioNFT-Ensilicated system in Sub-Saharan Africa (infectious disease surveillance) - Partner with WHO, Gates Foundation, or Wellcome Trust - Demonstrate feasibility in resource-limited settings

Activities:

1. Field Deployment:
   • Pilot in Kenya, Uganda, or Nigeria (high burden of infectious diseases)
   • Train local health workers on ensilication protocol + BioWallet app
   • Establish ambient-storage biorepository in regional hub city
2. Surveillance Network:
   • Collect specimens from 10,000 patients (malaria, TB, HIV surveillance)
   • Sequence at regional lab (no cold-chain shipping)
   • Patients retain ownership (can opt-out, request deletion)
3. Policy Advocacy:
   • Present to WHO policy makers: “Blockchain-Based Consent for Global Health Genomics”
   • Advocate for patient data sovereignty in low-resource settings

Deliverables: - 10,000 patients enrolled - Peer-reviewed publication in The Lancet Global Health - Policy brief for WHO

Budget: - Field deployment: $500,000 (training, equipment) - Sequencing: $1,000,000 (at-cost for public health) - Total: $1,500,000 (funded by global health grant)

8. Addressing Challenges and Risks

8.1 Technical Challenges

Challenge 1: Blockchain Scalability

Problem: Minting 10,000+ BioNFTs could congest Ethereum mainnet (high gas fees).

Solution: - Use Avalanche C-Chain (low fees, high throughput) or Polygon (Layer 2) - Batch minting (mint 100 NFTs in single transaction) - Gas fees subsidized by Cache DNA/GenoBank in early stages

Challenge 2: Ensilication Durability Over Decades

Problem: Cache DNA paper shows 30-day stability; what about 30 years?

Solution: - Conduct accelerated aging studies (already underway per Ferrasse et al. Supplementary Figure 1) - Implement “refresh protocol” every 10 years (de-encapsulate → re-encapsulate with updated silica formulation) - Insurance/warranty: Cache DNA guarantees specimen quality or refunds storage fees

Challenge 3: Interoperability with Legacy Biobanks

Problem: Existing biobanks have millions of frozen specimens; can they adopt BioNFT-Ensilicated?

Solution: - Backward compatibility: Mint BioNFTs for existing frozen specimens (patient consent required) - Gradual transition: New specimens ensilicated; old specimens remain frozen - Export option: Patients can request frozen specimens be thawed → ensilicated → transferred to Cache DNA facility

8.2 Regulatory and Legal Risks

Challenge 4: HIPAA Compliance for Blockchain

7. Product Vision: The Family DNA Time Capsule

7.1 Core Product Concept

Rather than individual specimen storage, we propose a Family DNA Time Capsule model built around the Trio as the fundamental unit: Mother, Father, and Child.

Why Trios Matter: - Genetic Inheritance: Understanding variant inheritance patterns requires parental genomes - Rare Disease Diagnosis: Trio sequencing is clinical gold standard for identifying de novo mutations - Generational Context: Families think in terms of lineage, not individual samples - Economic Efficiency: Packaging as “family service” increases perceived value over per-specimen pricing

7.2 The Family DNA Time Capsule Service

What Families Receive:

1. Physical Preservation:
   • Blood collection kit for each family member (Mom, Dad, Child)
   • Professional ensilication at Cache DNA facility
   • Ambient temperature storage (no freezers required)
   • Guaranteed preservation for X years with periodic quality verification
2. Blockchain Ownership:
   • BioNFT minted for each specimen (3 NFTs per Trio)
   • Family “vault” smart contract linking the three specimens
   • BioWallet app for managing consent, access requests, and inheritance planning
   • Cryptographic proof of ownership transferable to future generations
3. Future-Proof Sequencing Rights:
   • Specimens can be re-sequenced as technology improves (2025 → 2035 → 2045)
   • Example: Today’s long-read sequencing → Future single-molecule sequencing → Ultra-long reads
   • Children inherit parents’ specimens → Can authorize re-sequencing decades later

Pricing Structure (Conceptual):

Family DNA Time Capsule - Trio Package

Upfront Cost (One-Time):
- Ensilication Service (3 specimens): Price X
- BioNFT Minting (3 NFTs): Included in X
- Initial Sequencing (optional): Additional Price Y
- BioWallet Setup & Training: Included

Annual Preservation Fee:
- Ambient Storage (3 specimens): Annual Fee Z
- Blockchain Notarization Updates: Included in Z
- Quality Verification Reports: Included in Z
- BioWallet Premium Features: Included in Z

Revenue Participation (Optional):
- If genomic data licensed to researchers: Revenue Share %
- If drug developed using family data: Royalty %
- Smart contract enforces automatic distribution

Note: Actual pricing to be determined collaboratively between Cache DNA and GenoBank based on: - Cache DNA’s ensilication cost structure - Competitive market analysis (traditional biobanking, cryopreservation services) - Target market willingness-to-pay (rare disease families, preventive genomics adopters) - Partnership revenue sharing framework

7.3 Product Tiers for Different Markets

Tier 1: Rare Disease Families

Target: Families with undiagnosed or ultra-rare genetic conditions

Value Proposition: - Preserve specimens for future re-sequencing as new genes discovered - Share with multiple research groups without losing custody - Pass genomic legacy to children (potential therapeutic development)

Product Features: - Full Trio ensilication + blockchain ownership - Priority access to Stanford UDN, NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network - Research revenue sharing (if data contributes to drug development) - Genetic counseling integration (children can access parents’ genomes when adults)

Positioning: “Secure your family’s diagnostic future – re-sequence as science advances”

Tier 2: Preventive Genomics (Healthy Families)

Target: High-net-worth families, biohackers, longevity enthusiasts

Value Proposition: - Genomic “insurance policy” for children/grandchildren - As precision medicine advances, future re-sequencing reveals actionable insights - Generational inheritance (grandchildren sequence grandparents’ preserved genomes)

Product Features: - Trio or Extended Family (grandparents, parents, children) package - BioWallet with family tree visualization - Automated consent inheritance (parents → children when adult) - Premium support for estate planning integration

Positioning: “Like a safety deposit box for your family’s genetic legacy”

Tier 3: Institutional Biobanks

Target: Academic medical centers, patient advocacy groups, research consortia

Value Proposition: - Eliminate -80°C freezer operational costs - Automated GDPR/IRB compliance via BioNFT smart contracts - Patients more willing to donate when they retain ownership

Product Features: - Volume pricing for >100 specimens - Institution operates as custodian (not owner) - Patient consent managed via blockchain (transparent audit trail) - Integration with existing LIMS/biobank management systems

Positioning: “Patient-owned biobanking: trust through transparency, savings through ambient storage”

7.4 Revenue Model Philosophy

Rather than specifying exact prices, we propose a value-based framework:

For Cache DNA: - Upfront Revenue: Ensilication service fee per specimen - Recurring Revenue: Annual ambient storage fee (predictable, scalable) - Ancillary Revenue: Blockchain notarization service, quality verification reports

For GenoBank.io: - Upfront Revenue: BioNFT minting and BioWallet setup - Recurring Revenue: BioWallet premium subscriptions - Transaction Revenue: Commission on data access licensing (when patients authorize research use)

Revenue Sharing Framework: - Cache DNA: Higher share of upfront/storage fees (capital-intensive ensilication infrastructure) - GenoBank: Higher share of data access fees (software/platform margin) - Both: Co-marketing, co-branding, shared customer acquisition costs

7.5 Market Sizing (Grounded Estimates)

Addressable Market:

Rare Disease Families (Primary Market): - ~30 million people with rare diseases globally (EURORDIS estimate) - ~7,000 rare diseases identified - Realistic Year 1 Target: 100-500 families (pilot + early adopters) - Path to Scale: Partner with patient advocacy groups (KDM2A Foundation, GTF2I families, etc.)

Preventive Genomics (Secondary Market): - Growing segment: “Worried well”, longevity enthusiasts, biohackers - Currently served by 23andMe (~15M customers pre-bankruptcy) seeking alternatives - Realistic Year 1 Target: 50-200 families (high-touch, premium positioning)

Institutional Biobanks (B2B Market): - ~1,000 academic biobanks globally (ISBER membership) - Realistic Year 1 Target: 2-5 pilot institutions (potential partners: Stanford UDN, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic)

Total Year 1 Realistic Target: 150-700 Trios (450-2,100 specimens)

Why This Is Conservative: - Requires behavior change (families accustomed to institutional biobanking) - Premium pricing compared to “free” research biobanking - Blockchain/NFT education curve for patients - Cache DNA building commercial ensilication capacity

Why This Could Scale Faster: - 23andMe bankruptcy creates demand for patient-owned alternatives - Rare disease families highly motivated (diagnostic odyssey) - Academic institutions seeking cold-chain cost reduction - Media coverage of “blockchain genome vaults” drives awareness

7.6 Success Metrics (Not Revenue Projections)

Instead of dollar targets, we focus on impact metrics:

Year 1 (Pilot): - ✅ GenoBank.io founder's family (5 persons) enrolled as first pilot - ✅ Additional GenoBank.io families enrolled (targeting 15-20 total families) - ✅ Peer-reviewed publication validating BioNFT-Ensilicated workflow - ✅ 100% patient satisfaction with BioWallet ownership experience - ✅ Zero specimen degradation in ensilicated samples

Year 2 (Clinical Deployment): - ✅ 3+ academic medical centers operational - ✅ 500+ families preserving genomic specimens - ✅ First “generational transfer” (parent → adult child BioNFT transfer) - ✅ Demonstrable cost savings vs traditional biobanking (published analysis)

Year 3 (Market Validation): - ✅ Patient advocacy groups creating decentralized biobanks - ✅ Pharma company licensing data from BioNFT-owned cohort (proof of revenue participation) - ✅ First rare disease diagnosis via re-sequencing of ensilicated specimen

Year 5 (Scaled Impact): - ✅ Families in 10+ countries preserving genomic specimens - ✅ Global health pilot (Sub-Saharan Africa or Latin America) - ✅ “Family DNA Time Capsule” recognized consumer product category

8. Why This Partnership Makes Sense

For Cache DNA: - Technical Leadership: First-mover in ambient DNA preservation meets first-mover in blockchain genomics - Market Differentiation: “Patient-owned genome vaults” vs generic biobanking - Academic Validation: Co-publication with Stanford UDN, GenoBank (rigorous scientific credibility) - Ethical Positioning: Response to 23andMe crisis positions Cache DNA as patient-centric alternative

For GenoBank.io: - Physical-Digital Integration: BioNFT finally has a physical specimen preservation partner - Clinical Credibility: Cache DNA’s Stanford validation + long-read sequencing proven quality - Generational Vision: Ensilication enables true multi-decade ownership (matches BioNFT inheritance model) - Competitive Moat: Only blockchain genomics platform with ambient preservation partnership

For Patients: - True Ownership: Physical specimen + blockchain-verified ownership + generational inheritance - Future-Proof: Re-sequence as technology improves (2025 tech → 2045 tech using same specimen) - Portability: Transfer specimens between institutions, researchers, even countries (no cold-chain lock-in) - Economic Participation: If genomic data creates value, families benefit (not just companies)

For Academic Medicine: - Potential Partnership with Stanford UDN: Ideal future partner for rare disease diagnostics - Institutional Biobanks: Operational cost reduction + patient trust through transparency - Research Acceleration: Cross-institutional data sharing with patient consent automation

This is a partnership proposal, not a business plan. We invite Cache DNA to collaborate on refining the product vision, pricing strategy, and pilot design. The goal is to build something families actually want – and that advances genomic medicine in an ethical, patient-centric way. 4. Funding: - NIH R01 grant application (“Blockchain-Enabled Patient Ownership of Ensilicated Genomes”) - Private investment (a16z, Illumina Ventures interested in genomics+blockchain) - Patient advocacy foundation grants (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Gates Foundation)

Contact

Daniel Uribe, MBA Founder & CEO, GenoBank.io Email: [email protected] Website: https://genobank.io

James L. Banal, PhD Co-Founder, Cache DNA, Inc. Email: [email protected] Website: https://cache-dna.com

Document Version: 1.1 Last Updated: November 8, 2025 License: Confidential – For partnership discussion only

Appendix A: Technical Specifications

BioNFT Smart Contract (Solidity)

// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.20;

import "@openzeppelin/contracts/token/ERC721/ERC721.sol";
import "@openzeppelin/contracts/access/Ownable.sol";

contract BioNFT is ERC721, Ownable {
    struct Specimen {
        uint256 tokenId;
        address patient;
        string barcode;
        bool ensilicated;
        uint256 ensilicationDate;
        address storageFacility;
        string consentIPFSHash;
        bool consentRevoked;
    }

    mapping(uint256 => Specimen) public specimens;
    mapping(address => bool) public certifiedFacilities;

    uint256 private _tokenIdCounter;

    event SpecimenEnsilicated(uint256 indexed tokenId, address indexed facility, uint256 timestamp);
    event AccessRequested(uint256 indexed tokenId, address indexed requester, string purpose);
    event AccessGranted(uint256 indexed tokenId, address indexed requester);
    event ConsentRevoked(uint256 indexed tokenId, uint256 timestamp);

    constructor() ERC721("BioNFT", "BIONFT") Ownable(msg.sender) {}

    function mintBioNFT(
        address patient,
        string memory barcode,
        string memory consentIPFSHash
    ) public onlyOwner returns (uint256) {
        _tokenIdCounter++;
        uint256 newTokenId = _tokenIdCounter;

        _safeMint(patient, newTokenId);

        specimens[newTokenId] = Specimen({
            tokenId: newTokenId,
            patient: patient,
            barcode: barcode,
            ensilicated: false,
            ensilicationDate: 0,
            storageFacility: address(0),
            consentIPFSHash: consentIPFSHash,
            consentRevoked: false
        });

        return newTokenId;
    }

    function ensilicate(
        uint256 tokenId,
        address facility
    ) public {
        require(certifiedFacilities[facility], "Facility not certified");
        require(!specimens[tokenId].ensilicated, "Already ensilicated");

        specimens[tokenId].ensilicated = true;
        specimens[tokenId].ensilicationDate = block.timestamp;
        specimens[tokenId].storageFacility = facility;

        emit SpecimenEnsilicated(tokenId, facility, block.timestamp);
    }

    function requestAccess(
        uint256 tokenId,
        string memory purpose
    ) public {
        require(_ownerOf(tokenId) != address(0), "Token does not exist");
        require(!specimens[tokenId].consentRevoked, "Consent revoked");

        emit AccessRequested(tokenId, msg.sender, purpose);
    }

    function grantAccess(
        uint256 tokenId,
        address requester
    ) public {
        require(ownerOf(tokenId) == msg.sender, "Not specimen owner");
        require(!specimens[tokenId].consentRevoked, "Consent revoked");

        emit AccessGranted(tokenId, requester);
    }

    function revokeConsent(uint256 tokenId) public {
        require(ownerOf(tokenId) == msg.sender, "Not specimen owner");

        specimens[tokenId].consentRevoked = true;

        emit ConsentRevoked(tokenId, block.timestamp);

        // Burn the NFT (patient loses ownership but triggers deletion of data)
        _burn(tokenId);
    }

    function certifyFacility(address facility) public onlyOwner {
        certifiedFacilities[facility] = true;
    }

    function getSpecimenInfo(uint256 tokenId) public view returns (Specimen memory) {
        return specimens[tokenId];
    }
}

Ensilication Metadata JSON Schema

{
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
  "title": "BioNFT Ensilicated Specimen Metadata",
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "bionft": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "contractAddress": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Ethereum/Avalanche address of BioNFT contract"
        },
        "tokenId": {
          "type": "integer",
          "description": "Unique NFT identifier"
        },
        "network": {
          "type": "string",
          "enum": ["avalanche-c-chain", "ethereum-mainnet", "polygon"]
        },
        "ownerAddress": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Current NFT owner wallet address"
        }
      },
      "required": ["contractAddress", "tokenId", "network", "ownerAddress"]
    },
    "specimen": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "barcode": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "QR/barcode on physical tube"
        },
        "collectionDate": {
          "type": "string",
          "format": "date-time"
        },
        "specimenType": {
          "type": "string",
          "enum": ["whole-blood", "saliva", "tissue", "plasma"]
        },
        "volume": {
          "type": "number",
          "description": "Volume in mL"
        }
      }
    },
    "ensilication": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "ensilicationDate": {
          "type": "string",
          "format": "date-time"
        },
        "facility": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "name": {
              "type": "string"
            },
            "address": {
              "type": "string",
              "description": "Ethereum address of storage facility"
            },
            "location": {
              "type": "string",
              "description": "Physical location (city, country)"
            }
          }
        },
        "protocol": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Cache DNA protocol version (e.g., 'v1.0')"
        }
      }
    },
    "consent": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "ipfsHash": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "IPFS CID of consent document"
        },
        "consentTerms": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "description": ["research-use", "commercial-use", "data-sharing"]
        },
        "expirationDate": {
          "type": "string",
          "format": "date-time",
          "description": "Optional: Consent expires after this date"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "required": ["bionft", "specimen", "ensilication", "consent"]
}

Appendix B: Comparative Analysis – BioNFT-Ensilicated vs Alternatives

Table: Feature Comparison Matrix

Strategic Insight:

BioNFT-Ensilicated is the ONLY solution that combines: - Clinical-grade specimen preservation - True patient ownership (blockchain-verified) - Generational inheritance capability - Revenue participation

Target Market: Families who want to OWN their genomic legacy, not rent access to it.

END OF WHITEPAPER