What is a key responsibility of a Technology Transfer Office?

A Technology Transfer Office (TTO) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic research and the marketplace. The main responsibility of a TTO is to facilitate the commercialization of research work. This involves identifying potential commercial applications for inventions and innovations developed in academic settings, protecting intellectual property through patents, and helping to license or spin-off inventions into startups. By fostering partnerships between researchers and industry, TTOs help ensure that valuable research can lead to practical products and services that benefit society.

While administrative support and computing assistance are important functions within research environments, they do not directly relate to the unique mission of a TTO. Advertising research projects may raise awareness but does not encompass the broader goal of transforming research into viable commercial products, which is the essence of what a Technology Transfer Office aims to accomplish. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the TTO's role in commercialization above other supportive activities.