Singapore, March 20, 2008: A brain disorder research lab has been launched at the University of Queensland.  The research lab has been entirely funded by a $6 million grant from Peter Goodenough, a businessman who succumbed to motor neuron disease (MND).

 

MND is a group of disorders which causes muscle wasting and the loss of nerve cells that control speech, swallowing and respiration. Mr Goodenough's bequest is the single, largest donation to UQ from an individual.

 

Opening the Peter Goodenough and Wantoks Research Laboratory (Wantoks means close friends or relatives in pidgin English — a reference to Mr Goodenough's three pet dogs and ‘best mates' whom he wanted recognised), Ms Desley Boyle, Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry said, “More philanthropy was one way to boost Queensland's woeful investment in research and development in comparison with other states.”

Prof. Perry Bartlett, director, QBI said “Mr Goodenough's unprecedented support would allow QBI and Australia to lead the world in discovering new therapeutic treatments for MND. Dr Wallace (inaugural Ross McLean Fellow) is currently focusing on discovering new biomarkers and disease-candidate genes in blood samples taken from MND patients, both here and in China, as well as identifying genes associated with muscle weakness in the mouse.”