Penang’s institutions can play a significant role as research intermediaries to firms engaged in upgrading technology. The resources of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and UiTM and the two research institutes - the Fishery Research Institute and the Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Neutraceuticals at USM - can contribute greatly to the upgrading of industry. For instance, USM has recently decoded the genome for rubber which can be a source of patents and subsequent product commercialisation.