The primary difference between a research lab and a clinical lab lies in their objectives and workflows. A research lab is typically focused on scientific discovery, experimenting with new ideas, testing hypotheses, and developing new technologies or treatments. The work in a research lab is often exploratory and may involve a wide range of methodologies, from molecular biology to chemistry and computational analysis. On the other hand, a clinical lab is dedicated to the analysis of patient samples for diagnostic purposes. The workflow in a clinical lab is more standardized, with strict protocols in place to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. Clinical labs operate under strict regulatory oversight to ensure that their findings can be used in medical decision-making. While research labs contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments, clinical labs are where these innovations are applied in a real-world healthcare setting.