Historically, our region's economy has been founded on the exports of natural resources and energy. The government has been a big employer—federal agencies, the military, and the like.

In recent years, however, more knowledge-based businesses have emerged to augment our domestic and export markets, but perhaps it's time to get serious about making the commercialization of science and invention our priority.

The sole purpose of R&D is to promote bringing our ideas, science, research, innovation, and inventions to market. To use our brainpower as our main economic driver. To turn our universities, community colleges, and shop floors into powerful moneymakers. Some of my previous columns, along with many articles that have appeared in past issues of Progress magazine, have discussed the potential of this sector. In this column I'm going to give you a small example of what's happening in our “brainpower-to-market” sector. (To help do this in a bigger way, last year we launched the annual Progress Research and Discovery magazine.)

At Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., shrew saliva has been used in pain-management treatment and as a replacement for Botox therapies.

At Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, researchers developed voyage data recorders for water-borne vessels. At the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, researchers are developing nutraceuticals from wild blueberries and rosehips.

At the Beausejour Medical Research Institute in Moncton, N.B., researchers have developed new therapies targeting

breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., scientists have made synthetic antibiotics, which could be used to fight the new medical superbugs.

Many other exciting projects are underway in the areas of bioengineered ligaments, bioherbicides, baby boomer seniors' housing needs, and new port security protocols. It is becoming more and more clear that this kind of work is the way of the future. The most important resource is brainpower—clean, renewable, and unlimited.

The research that occurs at universities, community colleges, and private institutions and corporations exists. Government investment has been and will continue to exist. Private capitalists exist. Venture capitalists, angel investors, and investment bankers are constantly searching and circling like sharks, never resting in their relentless pursuit for the next great deal.

There is one element missing from the big picture: the entrepreneur who can put the science and capital together in a company that is ready for market. Fortunately, there are a few role models, including Rutter Inc. and Ocean Nutrition Canada, but we need more. On the pages of Progress Research and Discovery magazine, you'll find a rich menu of opportunities for our entrepreneurs.

Current and future research coming out of Atlantic Canada will make the world a better place to live, and entrepreneurs from other parts of the world will come here to seek their fortune in our backyard. Timing is crucial—it's now or never. We have the resources, and capital never has been more plentiful. The only thing that's missing is you.