Sci-Mate

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Sci-Mate was an idea for open collaboration among scientists using Web 2.0 tools to tackle common problems in publishing and technology transfer. It offered free access to a suite of apps that help researchers and developers connect, share knowledge, and find the people, tools, and resources they need for research and development. A demo went live in April 2009, featuring modules for Articles, Discussion, Embedding, and Item Exchange, and the project drew media attention before and after launch.

The project was designed as non-profit and community-owned, run by its research-member community. Sci-Mate articles would start as open-access knowledge and could later appear in traditional formats. Authorship and an automatic copyright claim protected contributors’ rights, and IP owners could choose licenses while editors helped manage content to simplify publication. An interactive review process enabled peers to quality-check work before submission. A Simple Machines Forum was included for quick questions and information that wasn’t meant for publication. The Material Transfer Environment (MaTE) let researchers describe items for sharing and the conditions of supply.

Items listed could include tools (antibodies, plasmids, software, equipment, cell lines, animal models, etc.), services (assays, consultancies, analysis, customized products), technology transfer, items wanted, project proposals, grants, jobs, training, conferences, and seminars. Suppliers could set transfer terms via a material transfer agreement and use restricted licenses to avoid unfair competition. Once listed, the software helped manage inquiries, evaluate requests, and distribute material, with IP-management features for records and data flows to researchers, staff, and administrators. Employers could appoint admins to oversee distribution to maximize returns. The site supported embedded content and used ratings and reviews to help users find relevant material.