In the context of the cooperation among universities, companies and the government, the generation of innovation happens by a process of scientific knowledge transfer to companies and markets. However, good research results are not enough to begin the patenting and licensing process; it is necessary to demonstrate the viability of transforming it into innovation. In this sense, the interactive vision of science and technology, in terms of the relationship between "understanding and use", and between the categories of basic and applied research, derived from the objectives of the scientific research - offers a different idea of the connections between basic science and technological innovation and for the formulation of scientific policiess. Based on this discussion, the contribution of this article is to identify the kind of research carried out and to understand the means of cooperation among university, government and the productive sector, in which RENORBIO (Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia - Northeast Network of Biotechnology) is inserted. The qualitative method of a case study is used. The data analysis is based on the thematic analysis technique, which is a Content Analysis technique. Advantages are noted and limitations and challenges are recognized in the cooperative relationships under analysis, in particular the need to make basic research agendas inspired by use, with an eye on the business sector and the market.
Basic and applied research; Cooperation university; Government and productive sector
