What is a Research Tool?

In the United States and Europe, a research community for basic research has been created among universities, research institutions and corporations. Within that system, non-exclusive licensing of research tools is well-established. This kind of broad access to research tools greatly contributes to the advancement of research.

Research tools can be summarized as follows. They:

1.Are comprised of research materials necessary to perform research.
2.Can include all inventions, discoveries and knowledge.
3.Exist in abundance at universities, research institutions and corporations.
4.Must be attainable quickly and at a reasonable price to contribute to successful research.

Specific Examples of Research Tools:
  Transgenic mice
  Cell lines
  Genes
  Antibodies
  Chemical substances
  Computer software, etc
Please also see our Q&A section regarding research tools.