Agriculture, biotech, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) research in Alberta, Canada, have been integrated through one of four new provincial corporations as part of the Alberta Innovates support structure for scientific research. Alberta Innovates officially launched January 1 as the province’s Research and Innovation Act came into force, realigning what previously were 10 provincially funded research organizations. Staff from the former Alberta Agricultural Research Institute, Alberta Forestry Research Institute, Alberta Life Sciences Institute, and Alberta Prion Research Institute now operate under the direction of single agency: Alberta Innovates-Bio Solutions.<\/p>\n
Agriculture, forestry, and food\/health come under one umbrella because they draw upon biological resources that offer untapped potential for an array of high-value products, according to a statement by Art Froehlich, partner and strategic advisor in Calgary-based ag communications and marketing agency AdFarm and chair of the biosolutions agency’s board. “Common building blocks such as cellulose and starch provide opportunities to mix and match the incredible wealth of natural resources in Alberta without taking away from traditional commodity uses for food, feed, and fuel,” Froehlich says. The province expects research bodies to work more closely together under the new structure, and collaborative relationships and programs are expected to speed the process of translating research to results and attracting innovators, scientists, and researchers from around the world. Encouraging commercialization of new technologies in this way also is expected to attract angel investors, professional VCs, foundations, corporations, and others who use private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable future.<\/p>\n