The University of Queensland`s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, has accepted a $3 million donation as part of a bequest to further research into Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
The University`s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), an initiative of Professor Hay, will carry out the research.
Peter Goodenough, who died in Cairns in November 2004 from MND, gifted the $3 million to the University.
Mr Goodenough directed the money go towards research into MND being carried out at the QBI, based at the Universitys St Lucia campus.
Director of the QBI, Professor Perry Bartlett, said he was extremely grateful to Mr Goodenough for his generous bequest and for his foresight in recognising that it is only through innovative, well funded research that debilitating diseases such as MND will eventually be conquered.
Professor Hay has secured $20 million grants from both The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Queensland Government, as part of its Smart State strategy, for a dedicated Institute building.
Construction of a new building to house the QBI is underway at UQ`s St Lucia campus.
At a presentation of the donation at the Brisbane Customs House today (Monday, May 23), Professor Hay announced the naming of the Peter Goodenough and Wantoks Research Laboratory within the new building in acknowledgment of Mr Goodenough`s generosity to UQ.
Mr Goodenough, who negotiated with the University about his bequest for 18-months prior to his death, owned a large civil engineering firm and other assets in Bougainville in the 1970s and 1980s.
Director of the University`s Development Office, Margaret Burke, said while the disease robbed Mr Goodenough of his speech, it had not dampened his fighting spirit.
"He was keen to ensure that he could put his wealth to fighting this disease even though he knew he would personally not benefit from the research," she said.
Research in the QBI is focused on understanding the molecular basis of brain function and applying this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat neuro-degenerative diseases and mental health disorders, especially those associated with our ageing population.
Toowong lawyer Graham Isles, who acted for Mr Goodenough, said that his client after being diagnosed with MND in 2002 had "then sought as much information as possible on the disease, including knowing who was doing the most advanced research – and that was the QBI at the University".
Scientists at the QBI have discovered several new mechanisms that control the cellular and molecular mechanisms which underlie normal brain function, especially those governing the generation of new nerve cells and the formation of new functional connections.
Professor Bartlett said neuroscience was entering an exciting era of accelerated discovery driven by the application of new molecular, genetic, and imaging technologies, which will provide a deeper understanding of the regulation and function of the nervous system.
"Significant advances in determining the molecular regulation of nerve cell function will have a major impact on our understanding of more complex areas such as memory and learning and this knowledge will be applied to the development of new therapeutics to treat mental and neurological diseases," he said.
"These diseases account for a staggering 45 percent of the burden of disease in Australia.
"In the case of MND, we are exploring several exciting avenues to rescue and restore the nerve cells damaged in this terrible disease."
A major goal of the QBI is to promote excellence in neuroscience through fostering the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships within Queensland and across the Asia Pacific region.
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