Paul Allen Commits $100 Million to Boost Bioscience Studies

Tech billionaire Paul Allen announced plans Wednesday to spend $100 million over 10 years to fund groundbreaking work at the “frontiers of bioscience,” starting with grants to establish new research centers at Stanford and Tufts universities, The Washington Post reports.

The Microsoft co-founder, who has become one of the world’s leading donors to scientific causes such as brain and cell research, said advances in data harvesting, microscopy, and genetics have set the stage for “a game-changer for our understanding of complex biological systems.”

The effort will be run by a new organization, the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, headed by Tom Skalak, vice president for research at the University of Virginia. It will support scientists exploring unconventional approaches in fields such as tissue regeneration, antibiotic resistance, gene editing, and the development of brain circuitry.

Read a Chronicle of Philanthropy article on megadonors such as Mr. Allen who support experimental scientific work.