The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing www.cimauk.org Photograph by Lindsay Mackenzie (2nd Runner Up - Newcastle University Student Competition) The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Introduction

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and age-related decline in function of musculoskeletal tissues (bones, joints, tendons and muscles) are major contributors to loss of independence and poor quality of life in older people. The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) is a collaboration between researchers and clinicians at the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield that brings together complementary and outstanding expertise in skeletal muscle, bone, cartilage and tendon biology, ageing research, nutrition and exercise interventions and clinical excellence in musculoskeletal disorders. The Centre is developing an integrated approach to understanding the processes and effects of ageing in tissues of the musculoskeletal system, how ageing contributes to diseases of the musculoskeletal system and how these processes may be ameliorated or prevented.

This Centre of Excellence brings together researchers from 3 leading UK Universities to build on current world-leading research to understand why our bones, joints and muscles function less well as we age and why older people develop clinical diseases of these musculoskeletal tissues, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. The Centre is investigating new ways of preventing the deterioration of the musculoskeletal tissues that occur as we age to help preserve mobility and independence in older people. CIMA was funded by an initial grant of £2.5M from the Medical Research Council and Arthritis Research UK commencing June 2012 together with substantial investment in new posts by the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield.

The detailed Objectives of CIMA are to:

• Develop and exploit an integrated research framework • Develop and test novel interventions based on for ageing of the musculoskeletal system. nutrition, exercise and/or pharmacology to maintain or enhance bone, cartilage, ligament/tendon and muscle • Identify how intrinsic mechanisms of ageing function during ageing and to reduce age-related contribute to musculoskeletal dysfunction and deterioration of the whole musculoskeletal system. understand the impact of musculoskeletal ageing on age-related wellbeing. • Build capacity by training young researchers and clinicians with multidisciplinary skills in • Identify and share optimal techniques and approaches musculoskeletal ageing. (e.g. imaging, biomarkers and functional measures) to monitor age-related changes in all musculoskeletal • Become the foremost UK Centre for research tissues and provide an integrated assessment of on musculoskeletal ageing and develop a major musculoskeletal function (e.g. using systems biology international reputation for research in this and modelling approaches). important area.

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Contents

Introduction 1

Resources and Facilities 4

Directors and Site Directors Prof. Malcolm J Jackson (Director) 12 Prof. Tim Cawston (Newcastle Site Director) 13 Prof. Eugene McCloskey (Sheffield Site Director) 14

Principal Investigators Dr Ilaria Bellantuono 15

Prof. Peter Clegg 16 Photograph above by Gobinath Murugesapillai (Winner - Newcastle University Student Competition) Prof. Richard Eastell 17 Dr Graham Kemp 18 Dr Jennifer Milner 46 Prof. Tom Kirkwood 19 Dr Peter Milner 47 Prof. John Loughlin 20 Prof. Robert J Moots 48 Prof. Anne McArdle 21 Dr Munitta Muthana 49 Prof. John Mathers 22 Prof. Jon Nicholl 50 Prof. Gerry Wilson 23 Prof. Stuart Parker 51 Dr Joao Passos 52 Investigators Prof. Hilary J Powers 53 Dr Rebecca Bancroft 24 Dr Carole Proctor 54 Dr Karl Bates 25 Dr Louise Reynard 55 Dr Fraser Birrell 26 Prof. Lynn Rochester 56 Dr Anne-Gaëlle Borycki 27 Prof. Drew Rowan 57 Prof. David J Burn 28 Prof. Graham Russell 58 Dr Nadine Carroll 29 Prof. Tim Skerry 59 Prof. Robin Huw Crompton 30 Dr Falko F Sniehotta 60 Dr Daniel Cuthbertson 31 Dr Simon Tew 61 Dr Rachel Duncan 32 Prof. Wendy Tindale 62 Prof. Francesco Falciani 33 Dr Michael Trenell 63 Prof. Alejandro F. Frangi 34 Prof. Doug Turnbull 64 Prof. Jim Gallagher 35 Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki 65 Dr Alison Gartland 36 Marco Viceconti 66 Prof. Douglas Gray 37 Prof. John Wilding 67 Prof. Richard D Griffiths 38 Mr Mark Wilkinson 68 Prof. John Hunt 39 Dr Liz Williams 69 Prof. John Innes 40 Prof. Steve Winder 70 Prof. Carol Jagger 41 Dr Lang Yang 71 Dr Jonathan Jarvis 42 Dr David A Young 72 Dr Nathan Jeffery 43 Prof. Thomas von Zglinicki 73 Dr Elizabeth Laird 44 Prof. Sue Mawson 45 Contact details 74 3 CIMA

Resources and Facilities The creation of CIMA facilitates the bringing together of three Institutes each with world class research infrastructure, facilities and resources for research into ageing and the musculoskeletal system. Individually, each Institute has excellent facilities for basic science research, pre-clinical and clinical research, but together we benefit from shared access to high-end technology and expertise, access to model systems that cover the musculoskeletal system as a whole and clinical expertise and resources not available in any single institute. Many of our existing University Institutes, Centres and Laboratories are highly regarded and recognised internationally for their contribution to ageing and musculoskeletal research. For example, both Newcastle and Sheffield have recently been awarded European League Against Rheumatism Centre of Excellence status in recognition of their contribution to the field. However, together CIMA is increasing this profile further by focusing our research effort into addressing fundamental questions in musculoskeletal ageing. Examples of the some of the facilities and resources that are available to members of CIMA through the partner institutes include:

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The Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Campus for Ageing and Vitality Research Centre (MARIARC) Newcastle University has invested heavily in world class The Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Research Centre infrastructure to support its ageing research agenda. The (MARIARC) is a core facility of the University of Liverpool, Campus for Ageing and Vitality consists of a new quadrangle directed by Dr Graham Kemp (CIMA co-applicant). MARIARC of buildings for intensively translational biomedical research into has a Siemens Symphony 1.5 T and a Trio 3 T scanner, age-related disease. The Wellcome Trust funded Biogerontology which support MR-based whole-body composition and muscle Building housing basic research alongside the Edwardson cross-sectional area analysis, 1H MRS (magnetic resonance Building containing biomarker laboratories and the aged mouse spectroscopy) measurements of muscle cellular triglyceride, facility. Experimental Medicine platforms for 3TMRI, PET, 31P MRS studies of muscle bioenergetics and near-infrared gait and exercise laboratories and bio-banking facilities are spectroscopy measurements of muscle oxygenation. The Trio housed in adjacent buildings. A new NIHR-funded, translational is also used for functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging research building (opening Nov 2011) will act as the hub for and perfusion imaging, which can be applied to muscle, the Biomedical Research Centre and the ground floor of this cartilage and tendon studies. building will host innovative purpose-designed multi-disciplinary translational research clinics. The Campus houses the recent The University of Liverpool Biomechanics RC funded Centre for Integrated Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition, the MRC Centre for Brain Ageing and Vitality and the Group Facility Livewell Programme (Lifelong Health and Wellbeing). The University of Liverpool Biomechanics Group Facility supports full body dynamic modelling and finite element The University of Liverpool MRC/NERC Centre analysis of musculoskeletal mechanics and foot-ground for Genomic Research (CGR) interactions. It has state of the art facilities for gait analysis including static and treadmill-based point force and pressure The University of Liverpool MRC/NERC Centre for Genomic measurement, integrated with free-ranging gas-exchange Research (CGR) is part of the National Research Infrastructure. measurement of energy consumption, high speed 3D motion In addition, the Centre has a large portfolio of specific project capture and videography, wireless electromyography, and grants from the BBSRC, NERC, MRC, NHIR and other remote activity monitoring from combined self-contained funding agencies, and has strong TSB funding with several multiple accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope and multinational companies. The CGR employs 16 mainly post- GPS transducer signals. Imaging facilities include microCT, doctoral members of staff. It runs three next generation ultrasound and laser scanning, and group engineers have sequencing platforms, LifeTechnologies’ SOLiD, Illuminas developed software for whole body dynamic simulation, GA2 and Roche’s 454 GS FLX platform augmented by robotic topographic analysis of pressure/depth distributions over preparative pipelines. A new Ion Torrent instrument is under complex landmark-free surfaces. trial. It also has 3 computer clusters and 200Tb of storage, managed by a postdoctoral infrastructure specialist. 6 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

MRC Muscle Performance and Exercise National Centre for Sport, Physical Training Laboratory Activity & Wellbeing (NCESEM) This facility, based at Newcastle University combines state of As part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy Sheffield has the art measurement equipment for physical fitness, cardiac been selected as one of three partners in the NCESEM (the function, muscle strength and body composition alongside a others are Nottingham/Loughborough and UCH/UCL London). physical activity and exercise intervention delivery team. Sheffield will receive £10m in funding from the Department of Health to develop the Centre and establish the physical The laboratory has three main focuses: infrastructure. Sheffield will be responsible for implementing strategies of using physical activity to improve population 1. Assessment of physical function with maximal exercise, health. A state-of-the-art facility for research in sport sub-maximal exercise and muscle strength testing. and exercise medicine will be built that will be used 2. Assessment of everyday physical activity. for physiological and biomechanical studies in the Sheffield population. 3. Delivery of standardised physical activity and exercise interventions.

Current studies are funded by the MRC, NIHR, NHS and pharmaceutical industry. These groups use the laboratory to provide clinical grade outcome measures for interventions and assessment of habitual physical activity. All staff are fully accredited by the American College of Sports Medicine.

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Newcastle Biomedicine Clinical Ageing The University of Sheffield Mellanby Centre Research Unit (CARU) for Bone Research The primary aim of CARU is to facilitate the development of Based in the University of Sheffield Medical School the early assessment and intervention strategies targeted at age Mellanby Centre was established in 2009 in recognition of associated degenerative conditions. The facility was funded by our international standing in bone research. The Centre has the Wellcome Trust and supported by core NIHR funding. created a multidisciplinary environment in which to foster world-class research. We are one of a limited number of The facility is directed by David Burn and provides high institutes worldwide in which clinical research is underpinned quality, patient friendly environment for Phase II-IV clinical by world-class basic biomedical research and where our studies in the older patient. Translational research and clinical research spans understanding normal skeletal physiology, trial capacity is facilitated via integration with the NIHR the age-related decline in skeletal function and in pathological Biomedical Research Centre (Ageing) where musculoskeletal bone loss. The Mellanby Centre is home to dedicated ‘core’ is one of the themes. facilities that support the research of the Centre. These include ‘state of the art’ bone biochemistry laboratory with CARU is staffed by a team of experienced and well-qualified the latest autoanalysers and a bone analsysis laboratory with research nurses and research professionals and is equipped contemporary imaging equipment, including high-resolution with consulting and assessment rooms, a human movement microCT, in vivo dynamic histomorphometry and multi-photon laboratory, visual perception laboratory and a DEXA scanner imaging. Staffed by core-funded scientists these facilities for bone density measurements. underpin collaborations with partners from across the UK and Europe, including Universities, research institutes and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The Mellanby Centre links directly with the biomedical research unit for bone in which basic and pre-clinical research developed in the Centre is translated directly into clinical studies for patient benefit.

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The University of Sheffield Bone Biomedical Musculoskeletal Research Group Research Unit The Newcastle Musculoskeletal Research Group (MRG) Established with NIHR infrastructure funding, the Bone consists of 75 total research staff that aim to foster strong Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) is a partnership between the interactions between clinicians and laboratory scientists. University of Sheffield and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals It houses the Wilson Horne Immunotherapy Centre, a NHS Foundation Trust. The Unit is based in the Centre for translational research facility for early phase clinical studies of Biomedical Research alongside a dedicated Clinical Research immune modulators and linked experimental medicine studies. Facility. The Bone BRU Faculty comprises experienced The expertise of individual members of the group ranges from clinical investigators who work closely with basic scientists gene regulation through to nanotechnology, and the design and at the Mellanby Centre, and statisticians, health economists implementation of novel immunomodulators. We have strong and epidemiologists from the School of Health and Related research collaborations locally and nationally and represent Research, to promote world-class translational research. a strong theme of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre The facilities include a bone-imaging suite, housing a high- for Ageing and Age-Related Disease. It hosts the Arthritis resolution peripheral CT scanner (XtremeCT) amongst Research-UK Tissue Engineering Centre awarded in 2010. other non-invasive bone assessments, a Bone Biochemistry Laboratory and the Sheffield Musculoskeletal BioBank. The Newcastle MRG forms one of 9 centres in the Office of Life Sciences Research Capability Cluster. This is a novel The University of Liverpool Proteomics strategy to fast track novel compounds into phase I/IIa Laboratory trials. The MRG education group also have a strong influence nationally, producing CDs to teach clinical examination skills, The University of Liverpool Proteomics Laboratory provides which are distributed to all medical schools in the UK and, access to state-of-the-art capacity in proteomics, as well as increasingly, overseas. a home for the Protein Function Group (Prof Rob Beynon). The laboratory is a custom user-designed space that meets all of the needs for the support and management of the key technology in proteomics: mass spectrometry. By creating a visually connected and highly accessible instrument space, the laboratory maintains the connection between the benchtop science and the end-stage analytical handling of the samples. A hotel model is used where guests’ laboratory work can be completed near the instruments.

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MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics The MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG), based at The University of Sheffield brings together developmental geneticists with clinician scientists, creating a focus of expertise in the development of animal models of human disease with the aim of stimulating the translation of findings from model systems to the development of novel therapies and clinical practice.

Gene discovery programmes using both forward mutation screening and gene expression profiling are being combined with chemical genetic approaches to identify novel components of developmental pathways and networks and unravel their mechanisms of action. The CDBG research strategy is supported by a number of high throughput facilities, including the Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility which is unique in Europe, extensive zebrafish aquaria and the CDBG Screening Unit equipped for medium-throughput screening of small molecules in zebrafish. A particular area of strength within CDBG is musculoskeletal development and disease.

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Prof. Malcolm J Jackson, BSc, PhD, DSc, FRCPath Professor of Cellular Pathophysiology, Head of Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the roles of reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscle physiology, pathology and ageing

Professor Jackson graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry Advisory Committee (2003-2006) and is current President of from the University of Surrey in 1974, completed a PhD at the Society for Free Radical Research-International. University College London in 1980, was awarded a DSc in Malcolm’s primary research interests are in the roles of reactive 1994 and FRCPath in 1997. He was a Lecturer at University oxygen species (ROS) in cell signaling and degeneration, College London in 1982, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool University particularly relating to ageing and skeletal muscle. His in 1984 and appointed Professor in 1994. He has served as group made some of the earliest descriptions of free radical Head of the Department of Medicine (1997-2001), Deputy generation by contracting skeletal muscle and of the effects Dean (2000-2001), Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of antioxidants. He has characterised the role of ROS as (2001-2002) and Associate Dean for Research (2005-2009). mediators of muscle damage following lengthening contractions He was appointed Head of the and was among the first to recognise the physiological roles of Institute of Ageing and Chronic ROS as mediators of adaptive responses to stress, specifically Disease in 2010. Malcolm relating to skeletal muscle. His group has also contributed new serves on the MRC Population analytical approaches to studying ROS in muscle in cell culture and Systems Medicine Board models and in vivo allowing them to characterise the multiple and Interdisciplinary Expert pathways for ROS generation in skeletal muscle. He has Group on ME/CFS, the BBSRC also identified protein targets for oxidation in ageing skeletal Healthy Organism Strategy muscle. More recent work has sought to understand the role of Panel and Ageing Working ROS in normal muscle physiology and ageing with translation Group and the Joint Research of the work through human biopsy and intervention studies. Councils Life Long Health and Wellbeing Panel. He was Professor Jackson’s research is funded by the MRC, BBSRC, Deputy Chair of the Research the US National Institute on Ageing and the Wellcome Trust. into Ageing National Scientific 12 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Tim Cawston, BSc, PhD, FRCP(Hon) William Leech Professor of Rheumatology, Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institutes of Cellular Medicine/Ageing and Health, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding how age-related changes in connective tissue lead to tissue turnover

Tim Cawston graduated with a BSc from Leeds University at the ways in which this breakdown can be blocked using a and completed a PhD at Reading on secretory mechanisms variety of pharmacological compounds. The aim of this work is in the mammary gland. Prof Cawston undertook post doctoral to find ways in which we can prevent the harmful breakdown training at the Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge of cartilage and bone in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. where he developed his interest in the proteolytic breakdown of connective tissue components, particularly collagen. He His work has developed recently to investigate the mechanisms moved to the Department of Rheumatology, Addenbrooke’s of collagen breakdown in osteoarthritis particularly to Hospital Cambridge to set up his own laboratory in 1981. investigate how the cartilage matrix, and the chondrocytes He was appointed as Professor of Rheumatology at localised within it, change with age and how these changes Newcastle University in 1996 where he has established the may perpetuate cartilage damage. Musculoskeletal Research group that undertakes research Professor Cawston’s research is funded by Arthritis Research-UK, from basic mechanisms in immunology and matrix biology, The Nuffield Foundation and Action Medical Research. experimental medicine and educational research. Professor Cawston is a member of the MRC PSMB board and Vice Chair of Arthritis Research-UK programme grant committee.

Tim’s main research interest is in understanding the mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate the breakdown of collagen in health and disease using cellular and molecular techniques. His research has shown that combinations of mediators can dramatically increase the production of degradative enzymes. These studies have developed to look

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Prof. Eugene McCloskey, MB, BCh, BAO, MD, FRCPI Professor of Adult Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding risk factors for skeletal fragility and developing new approaches of combination therapies with exercise and pharmaceutical interventions

Professor McCloskey graduated in Medicine from Trinity Eugene has been principal College, Dublin in 1983. Having initially trained in investigator in a large endocrinology, he developed an interest in the mechanisms number of MRC and of malignant bone disease and has been involved in several pharmaceutical-funded clinical trials of bisphosphonates in multiple myeloma and osteoporosis studies and is breast cancer that have established the role of antiosteoclastic acknowledged as an expert therapy in malignant disease. He subsequently trained in in vertebral fracture definition rheumatology before deciding to focus exclusively on metabolic and epidemiology, as well as bone diseases. Currently, Professor in Adult Bone Diseases in non-invasive assessments of the Academic Unit of Bone Metabolism, he is also an Honorary bone strength and fracture Consultant Physician in metabolic bone disease at the Northern risk. He has been involved with writing guidelines (for the General Hospital, Sheffield. He has published over 150 peer- Royal College of Physicians, the British Association of Surgical reviewed articles, book chapters and reviews and is currently Oncologists and the Bone Research Society) and Health Secretary of the Bone Research Society, Chair of the ASBMR Technology Assessments. More recently, he has contributed to Ancillary Program Committee and Chair of the National the development of the FRAX tool for estimating fracture risk. Osteoporosis Guideline Group Implementation Committee as He has important collaborations with national and well as a member of the ARUK Research sub-committee, the international research groups such as King’s College (London), National Specialty Group for Musculoskeletal Diseases, the Erasmus Medical Centre (Rotterdam), Harvard Medical International Osteoporosis Foundation’s Committee of Scientific School (Boston) and the University of Queensland (Brisbane). Advisors and the Board of the European Society for Clinical The main foci of Eugene’s current research include risk and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. factor models for osteoporosis and the potential interactions between physical and pharmacological therapies to improve musculoskeletal health. 14 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Ilaria Bellantuono, MD, PhD Senior Lecturer in Bone Biology, Department of Human Metabolism, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding mesenchymal stem cell ageing

Dr Bellantuono graduated in 1992 with an MD degree from She is now determining the pathways involved, including the the University of Pavia, Italy and completed a PhD in the Notch/Wnt signalling pathway, using a combination of in vitro department of Experimental Haematology, Paterson Institute and in vivo models. She is also using small molecules to both for Cancer Research, University of Manchester in 1998. understand basic mechanisms regulating stem cell fate and to She undertook post-doctoral training in the Department of target specific pathways to delay ageing. Immunology, Imperial College. In 2001, Dr Bellantuono relocated to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as a Ilaria is also leading the innovative Shared Ageing Research team leader and was awarded an honorary lectureship in stem Models (ShARM) resource funded by Wellcome Trust to cell biology at the University of Manchester in 2002. Ilaria was support the rapidly growing volume of research on biology appointed as a Lecturer in Bone Biology at the University of of ageing using mouse models. It combines web-based Sheffield in 2005 and is currently Senior Lecturer. information systems with a physical tissue bank. This is a collaboration with members of the Centre for Integrated Ilaria’s main research is in determining the changes Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition in Newcastle, the mesenchymal stem cells undergo with age, identifying what are International Centre for Mouse Genetics, MRC Harwell the the molecular players involved and how these impact on bone members of the Institute for Ageing and Chronic Diseases in formation. An understanding of the pathways involved in stem Liverpool, the Faculty of Life Sciences in Manchester and cell ageing will lead to more targeted therapeutic strategies to The European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing promote healthier bone ageing. in Groeningen.

Ilaria has identified loss of proliferation and differentiation Ilaria’s research is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological ability in mesenchymal stem cells with age. This was Sciences Research Council, the Leukaemia Research Fund, associated with shortening of telomeres in vitro and in vivo. Wellcome Trust and AstraZeneca.

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Prof. Peter Clegg, MA Vet MB PhD DipECVS MRCVS Professor of Comparative Orthopaedics, Dept. of Musculoskeletal Biology, University of Liverpool. Deputy Head of Institute, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the control of matrix turnover in cartilage and tendons in healthy ageing, regeneration and disease

Professor Clegg graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the There is an emphasis on relating both cartilage matrix University of Cambridge in 1987. After working as a veterinary degradation through proteinase activities, and cartilage matrix surgeon in practice, he undertook a three-year period of post- regeneration by the action of the chondrogenic transcription graduate clinical training in equine orthopaedics at the Royal factor SOX9. This has led to a strong interest in post- Veterinary College, University of London. He then moved to transcriptional gene regulation, and the mechanisms of how the University of Liverpool on a research training scholarship this is controlled, in musculoskeletal tissues. He has had and was awarded a PhD in 1997 for studies investigating long-term interest in understanding the differences between proteinases in cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis (OA). healthy ageing and pathology, and developing proteomics Subsequently, Peter was appointed Lecturer, then Senior approaches to quantify matrix turnover to distinguish variations Lecturer in veterinary orthopaedics and combined clinical and between healthy ageing and OA in cartilage. Finally, he has research duties. In 2003, he was awarded a Wellcome Trust a strong interest in the role of the osteochondral junction in Research Leave Fellowship, which he undertook in Professor the development of articular pathology. In tendon, he has Tim Hardingham’s laboratory in the Wellcome Trust Centre developed interests in understanding tenocyte phenotypic for Cell-Matrix Research at the University of Manchester variation, and how this can be manipulated. He has a strong investigating chondrocyte phenotype variation in both OA and interest in determining how tendon ages, and in particular how cartilage regeneration. In 2006 he was appointed to a personal tendons with different mechanical functions and injury risk, chair in comparative orthopaedics at the University of Liverpool. age. Currently he is determining mechanisms of age-related His research is in human and veterinary musculoskeletal biology, tendon failure. in particular cell and matrix regulation of cartilage and tendon during healthy ageing, regeneration and disease. Professor Clegg’s research is funded by Arthritis Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, Horserace Betting Levy Board, BBSRC Peter’s principle research interest is in understanding how and the pharmaceutical industry. chondrocyte and tenocyte cell phenotype varies, and how this is regulated during physiological and pathological states. 16 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Richard Eastell, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, FmedSci Professor of Bone Metabolism, University of Sheffield; NIHR Senior Investigator; Director, NIHR Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit [email protected] Understanding the causes of bone diseases and improving their treatment

Professor Eastell graduated in Medicine from Edinburgh Well known for his work on biochemical markers of bone University in 1977 and trained as an endocrinologist in turnover and the definition of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, Edinburgh, London (Northwick Park Hospital) and the USA Richard’s research interests are also wide ranging. He leads (Mayo Clinic) before coming to work in Sheffield in 1989. an active group that conducts research into all aspects of Currently the head of the Academic Unit of Bone Metabolism, osteoporosis, funded by the NIHR, MRC he was awarded funding from the National Institute for and AR UK and in collaboration with Health Research (NIHR) in April 2008 to set up the Sheffield important international research groups, Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) in Bone Diseases and has such as the Universities of Kiel (Germany) since been appointed as an NIHR Senior Investigator. Professor and California, San Francisco (USA) and Eastell is also an Honorary Consultant Physician in metabolic the Mayo Clinic (USA). The main foci bone disease at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. of Richard’s current research include anabolic treatments for osteoporosis, Richard has received several awards; these include Hospital novel tests for bone turnover markers and Doctor of the Year in the osteoporosis category (1997), the biomechanics of hip and spine fracture. Corrigan Medal of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (1998), the Kohn Foundation award from the National Osteoporosis Society (2004) and the Society of Endocrinology Medal (2004). He has authored or co-authored over 200 papers on osteoporosis and related topics and is also Associate Editor for the journal Bone and a member of the editorial board of Osteoporosis International. Richard is Past President of the European Calcified Tissue Society and Bone Research Society Vertebral fracture in the and Past Chairman of the National Osteoporosis Society. lumbar spine resulting from osteoporosis. 17 CIMA

Dr Graham Kemp, MA DM FRCPath CSci FSB Reader (Clinical) and Director, Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Research Centre (MARIARC), University of Liverpool [email protected] Towards a quantitative understanding of muscle metabolism and function in vivo

Dr Kemp graduated in medicine from Merton College, methods, supported by modelling approaches and techniques University of Oxford in 1980. After training in pathology in such as near-infrared spectroscopy and electromyography. Leicester and Sheffield he began his research career in 1984 He has a number of research collaborations within the UK working on cellular phosphate transport at the Department of (notably Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds) and with important Human Metabolism and Clinical Biochemistry, University of international groups (including Eindhoven, Marseille, Nijmegen, Sheffield. Since then he has pursued human research in vivo Sydney, Vienna). He has authored or co-authored over 180 by mainly magnetic resonance techniques, starting in 1989 papers, mainly on muscle and neuromuscular function and at the MRC Biochemical & Clinical Magnetic Resonance Unit pathophysiology and aspects of metabolic regulation, but also and Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, and including brain structure and function, endocrine, hepatic and continuing from 1996 at the University of Liverpool, where he renal disease, and accident mechanisms. He is a member is Reader at the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology in the of the Editorial Board of Clinical Science and the Editorial Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, and Director of the Advisory Board of the Biochemical Journal, and a regular Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Research Centre, a reviewer for physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, sports core research facility. He holds honorary NHS consultant posts science, magnetic resonance and clinical research journals. in Chemical Pathology and Neuromuscular Science. Dr Kemp is also Director of Postgraduate Research for the Faculty of Dr Kemp’s research is supported by the Biotechnology Health and Life Sciences, the largest of the three faculties of and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Engineering the University. and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the European Foundation for Dr Kemp’s principal research interest is in the quantitative the Study of Diabetes, the Diabetes Research and Wellness interpretation of data acquired noninvasively in vivo, Foundation and the pharmaceutical industry. particularly by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging

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Prof. Tom Kirkwood, CBE, PhD, FMedSci Professor of Medicine, Newcastle University; Associate Dean for Ageing (from Oct 2011); Scientific Director, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre on Ageing and Age-Related Diseases [email protected] Mechanisms, genetics and evolution of intrinsic ageing and its contribution to age-related frailty and disease

Tom Kirkwood is Professor of Medicine (1999 -), Director aimed at linking underlying mechanisms to the impacts of of the Institute for Ageing and Health (2004 – 2011), and ageing at the population level. He is Principal Investigator for Scientific Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre the MRC-funded Newcastle 85+ Study, a prospective cohort on Ageing (2008 -) at Newcastle University. In October 2011 study of biological clinical and psychosocial factors underlying he will take up a new position as Associate Dean for Ageing healthy ageing in a cohort of more than 1000 participants in order to provide strategic leadership for the University’s born in 1921. He has been European President (Biology) of over-arching priority theme on ageing. Educated in biology the International Association of Gerontology, chaired the UK and mathematics at Cambridge and Oxford, he worked at the Foresight Task Force on ‘Healthcare and Older People’, led National Institute for Medical Research, where he formed and the Foresight project on ‘Mental Capital Through Life’, was led a new research division, until in 1993 he became the UK’s Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords Science & Technology first Professor of Biological Gerontology at the University Select Committee inquiry into ‘scientific aspects of ageing’ and of Manchester. has served on the Councils of BBSRC and the Academy of Medical Sciences. He is an Editor of Mechanisms of Ageing Tom Kirkwood’s research aims to understand the basic science and Development and serves on the editorial boards of eight of ageing including how genes as well as non-genetic factors, other journals. He has published more than 300 scientific such as nutrition, influence longevity and health in old age. He papers and won several international prizes for his research. led the first studies to demonstrate how intrinsic ageing affects His books include the award-winning ‘Time of Our Lives: the functions of tissue stem cells, pioneered the development The Science of Human Ageing’, ‘Chance, Development and of systems-biology approaches to ageing (including forming in Ageing’ (with Caleb Finch) and ‘The End of Age’ based on 2005 the BBSRC-funded Centre for Integrative Systems Biology his BBC Reith Lectures in 2001. of Ageing and Nutrition), and has studied population aspects of ageing including evolutionary and epidemiological research

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Prof. John Loughlin, BSc, PhD Professor of Musculoskeletal Research, Newcastle University [email protected] Genetics of osteoarthritis

Professor Loughlin completed his PhD in developmental research goals is to functionally characterize these signals, biology at Leeds University in 1991 and then commenced with the aim of exploiting this information for improved patient postdoctoral research on the molecular genetic basis of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. monogenic diseases of the extracellular matrix at Oxford University, under the supervision of Professor Bryan Sykes. John has presented his group’s research as an invited speaker In 1995 Professor Loughlin established a group at the at international meetings in Europe, North America and Asia, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics in Oxford, where including at three Gordon Research Conferences. John sits his focus became, and remains, the molecular genetics of on a number of advisory committees, including the Arthritis osteoarthritis (OA). In 1997 he was awarded a Postdoctoral Research UK Fellowship Implementation Committee, and is Research Fellowship from the Arthritis Research Campaign and the Secretary General of OARSI, the international Osteoarthritis in 2002 he became a University Lecturer at Oxford University. Research Society. In 2008 Professor Loughlin moved to Newcastle University John’s research group has expertise in a wide range of genetic, as chair of Musculoskeletal Research within the Institute of genomic and functional techniques and I have published peer- Cellular Medicine. reviewed papers in a number of leading journals including For the past three years John has been the Principal Nature Genetics, PNAS, BMJ, American Journal of Human Investigator for arcOGEN, a consortium that was directed Genetics, Human Molecular Genetics, Journal of Biological toward the association mapping of osteoarthritis (OA) Chemistry and Arthritis & Rheumatism. susceptibility loci in 7,400 OA cases and over 11,000 population controls. This involved nine UK centres and was funded by Arthritis Research UK, with a grant of £2.2 million. arcOGEN has so far identified nine novel OA loci. One of John’s

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Prof. Anne McArdle, BSc, PhD Head of Department of Musculoskeletal Biology II, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the mechanisms of age-related loss of muscle mass and function and developing new approaches to treatment

Professor McArdle graduated with a BSc (Hons) in releases and presentation of our applied work to the general Biochemistry from the University of Liverpool in 1988 and public at several events. As School Director of Postgraduate completed a PhD in the Department of Medicine in 1993. Research, Anne led a complete overhaul of student monitoring Anne undertook postdoctoral training at the Institute of and support procedures within the School which has led to Gerontology at the University of Michigan and was awarded substantial improvements in the student experience. a Research into Ageing Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Fellowship in 1998 to examine the mechanisms by which Professor McArdle’s research interests include the basic the age-related failure of muscle to adapt to contractions processes by which cells respond and adapt to stress and resulted in sarcopenia. Anne was appointed as Lecturer damage and in particular, the role that the age-related failure at the University of Liverpool in 2001 and as Professor in in the stress response plays in the development of age-related the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University skeletal muscle dysfunction and has made key observations of Liverpool in 2007. She is currently acting Head of the in this area of research. Her research group has demonstrated Department of Musculoskeletal Biology II. Anne is past Chair the importance of rapid induction of responses to the increased of the British Society for Research on Ageing and the British ROS generated by contractions in maintaining muscle Council for Ageing. She is an active member of the American viability and the role that attenuation of these ROS signals Physiological Society and the UK Physiological Society and and responses play in muscle ageing. Anne has considerable Biochemical Society. Professor McArdle is Associate Editor experience of cell and molecular biological studies at the for the American Journal of Physiology, International Advisor sub-cellular level through to physiological analysis of muscle on the Environmental & Exercise Physiology Committee of function in a number of model systems including cell culture, the American Physiological Society and a core member of animal models and in humans. This work is funded by the BBSRC Grant Committee A. Professor McArdle’s work on National Institutes of Health (USA), MRC, BBSRC and AgeUK. frailty has received considerable public interest with press

21 CIMA

Prof. John Mathers, BSc, Dip Nutr, PhD Professor of Human Nutrition, Newcastle University; Director of the Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health [email protected] Understanding the impact of diet and other lifestyle factors on ageing and age-related diseases and the development of lifestyle-based interventions to enhance healthy ageing

Professor Mathers graduated with a BSc in Agricultural he is using post-genomic technologies to i) develop and test Biochemistry and Nutrition from Newcastle University in 1971. biomarkers of bowel cancer risk which are modifiable by He was awarded a Diploma in Nutrition (with Distinction) from dietary factors, ii) investigate of the effect of nutrient supply University of Cambridge in 1973 and PhD from University of in utero on health in later life with a particular focus on the role Cambridge in 1979. Professor Mathers undertook post-doctoral of epigenetic mechanisms and iii) develop novel biomarkers training in the Department of Applied Biology in the University of dietary exposure using metabolomics approaches. of Cambridge and in the Department of Tropical Animal Health, University of Edinburgh. In 1983 he was appointed Professor Mathers’ research is funded by the MRC through as Lecturer in Human Nutrition in Newcastle University. the LifeLong Health and Wellbeing initiative, the BBSRC In 1994, he established the Human Nutrition Research Centre, and the EU. Newcastle University and was appointed Professor of Human Nutrition in Newcastle University in 1995.

John’s major research interests are in understanding the role of diet in the aetiology and prevention of common age-related diseases and in the modulation of the ageing process. This research includes studies from the molecular and cellular levels to large-scale human intervention trials. He has a particular interest in diet-gene interactions. His current work includes the LiveWell Programme which is developing and piloting lifestyle- based interventions to promote healthy ageing and developing tools to measure the healthy ageing phenotype. In addition,

22 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Gerry Wilson, MB, PhD, FRCP, DCH Professor of Rheumatology & Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist, University of Sheffield; Department of Infection & Immunity [email protected] Biomarkers in inflammatory arthritis and the role of epigenetics in immunoageing

Prof Wilson graduate in Medicine from Queen’s University Belfast in 1983 and trained as a rheumatologist in Edinburgh, Sheffield and Oxford. He was an ARUK clinical research fellow at the University of Sheffield (PhD 1995) and an ARUK Copeman Travelling Fellow at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University (1995-96). He is an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. Professor Wilson is also Head of the Sheffield EULAR Centre of Excellence in Rheumatology.

His initial research interest centred on the genetics of the tumour necrosis factor gene in inflammatory joint diseases and determining genotype-phenotype correlations. More recently the focus has been on the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic response biomarkers, mainly genetic and immunological, in rheumatoid arthritis. These studies have been underpinned by the accrual of large highly-characterised clinical research databases with linked biological material. He also investigates the role of epigenetics in rheumatoid arthritis and immunoageing.

Prof Wilson’s research is funded by ARUK, MRC and the pharmaceutical industry. 23 CIMA

Dr Rebecca Bancroft, MBBCh, MRCP, MSc Consultant Geriatrician, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust; Consultant Community Geriatrician for Care Homes Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust [email protected] Ensuring high quality care homes

Dr Bancroft trained at the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff and graduated in 1998. Her passion for the care of older people began very early in her career whilst working for a brief period as a Senior House Officer in London. She became a trainee in Geriatric and General Medicine in the Mersey Deanery in 2004. She was appointed as a Consultant Geriatrician in Liverpool in 2009. During her Specialist registrar training Dr Bancroft undertook a Masters degree in Geriatric Medicine at Keele University. Her thesis for this explored the impact of bowel and bladder symptoms on quality of life for long-term stroke survivors. Now Dr Bancroft works as both a hospital based and community Geriatrician. In her community work Dr Bancroft provides specialist inreach expertise into Care Homes to support General Practice. Her particular areas of focus are on reducing falls in Care Homes and improving the identification of increasing frailty to predict end of life and ensure comfort during residents’ final months of life. She is an active member of the Relatives and Residents Association acting as an advocate for residents to ensure high quality care in Care Homes.

24 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Karl Bates BSc, MPhil, PhD CIMA Research Associate [email protected] Experimental and computational biomechanics

Dr Bates graduated with a BSc in Geology in 2005 from the biomechanics. He routinely use a range of theoretical and School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at experimental techniques to study locomotion, ranging from the University of Manchester, and subsequently completed an motion analysis, force and pressure platforms to 3D static MPhil there in 2006. He obtained his PhD in computational and dynamic computer simulations. Under CIMA, he will be biomechanics in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University integrating experimental data sets (e.g. whole-body kinematics, of Manchester in 2010. Since then he has worked in a post- foot plantar pressures) with 3D multi-body dynamic computer doctoral position in the lab or Professor Robin Crompton at models to study the effects of age- and disease-related trends the University of Liverpool, studying human foot function in morphology on the locomotor capabilities of humans and a and evolution. range of domestic and zoo animals.

Karl’s research concentrates on the functional anatomy of terrestrial vertebrates, with particular focus on the locomotor system. His goal is to understand the links between hard and soft tissue morphology and limb biomechanics in order to better characterise how animals achieve their full range of habitual motions. Karl is particularly interested in the functional consequences of changing morphology and evaluating how elements of the locomotor system interact to facilitate or constrain the way animals stand and move. This has led him to study a range of living tetrapods from primates to archosaurs (birds and crocodilians) in order to further our understanding of major evolutionary transitions in locomotor

25 CIMA

Dr Fraser Birrell, MA, Dip Clin Ed, PhD, FRCP Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Consultant & Senior Lecturer in Rheumatology, Northumbria Healthcare; Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding and Preventing Osteoarthritis Progression

Dr Birrell graduated in Medicine from Cambridge University in and participation in OMERACT 11. With collaborators 1991 and trained as a Rheumatologist in the West Midlands (especially Mike Reed & Mark Pearce) over 1200 subjects (Cannock Chase, Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals) & Manchester have been recruited to portfolio adopted studies, including (Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, Manchester Royal Arthritis Research UK funded studies: VIDEO (103 subjects) Infirmary, South Manchester University Hospitals) before and arcOGEN (800 subjects). He sits on the Arthritis Research coming to work in Newcastle in 2002. His clinical and UK Clinical Studies Group for Osteoarthritis & Related epidemiological research informs healthcare planning and Disorders, reviews grants for Arthritis Research UK, NIHR provision: from projecting the need for hip replacements, to HTA, Wellcome. He has contributed and reviewed proposals simple clinical tools for General Practitioners to predict who for calls for research for NIHR HTA. For NICE, he has is likely to need a hip replacement and a modular training represented the guideline development group for CG59 and method for ultrasound guided hip injection. In 2011 the been an invited expert for Scoping Workshops & Medical key study demonstrating ultrasound synovitis is a biomarker Technology Evaluation. predicting response to injection in hip osteoarthritis has been published in the top ranking rheumatology journal, Annals of Dr Birrell’s research is funded by the National Osteoporosis the Rheumatic Diseases: the first predictor of response Society, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ageing, to therapy in osteoarthritis. NHS R&D, local charities and the imaging and pharmaceutical industry. Within Newcastle and beyond, fruitful collaborations have established, including those with the Newcastle 85+ Study team; Newcastle Thousand Families study; convening the British Society for Rheumatology Osteoarthritis Special Interest Group; DICHOA- an international Hand OA group-

26 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Anne-Gaëlle Borycki, BSc, PhD Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield, Department of Biomedical Science [email protected] Characterizing the satellite cell niche in young and ageing skeletal muscles

Dr Borycki graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry in 1986 she has unraveled the role of the signaling pathway Sonic and completed a MSc in Biochemistry in 1987 from the hedgehog in the formation of skeletal muscles. More recently, University of Sciences Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris. She her research interest has been on the role of the extra-cellular obtained her PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of matrix in the control of muscle progenitor cell behavior both in Science Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris in 1992. After a short the embryonic and adult muscle. A particular recent focus is on post-doctoral training at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute the characterization of the satellite muscle stem cell niche and of Villejuif (France), she took a post-doctoral position in the the role of the extra-cellular matrix in this context. laboratory of Professor Charles Emerson, Jr. at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Philadelphia, USA) in 1994. In 2000, she was appointed as a Lecturer in the department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sheffield.

Anne-Gaëlle was a member of the European Union Network of Excellence Cells into Organs (2003-2009) and MYORES (2004-2010). She was a steering committee member and workpackage leader within MYORES. Since 2007, she is member of the Scientific Advisory board of Association Francaise contre les Myopathies (AFM).

Anne-Gaëlle’s work has largely focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of the myogenic program during embryonic development. Using her expertise in several vertebrate animal models (chick, mouse, and zebrafish), 27 CIMA

Prof. David J Burn, FRCP, MD, MA, MBBS Director of the Institute for Ageing and Health, Director of the Clinical Ageing Research Unit and Professor of Movement Disorders Neurology, Newcastle University Director of the Newcastle Biomedicine’s BRU in Lewy Body Dementias [email protected] Leading research into the predictors and treatment of dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease

David Burn is Professor of Movement Disorder Neurology at He was a member of the Special Interest Committee Task Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Neurologist Force of the International Movement Disorder Society for for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust. He Diagnostic Criteria for Parkinsonian Disorders (2002-3) and is a Senior NIHR Investigator and Director of the Clinical the Parkinson’s disease Dementia Task Force (2004-6). Ageing Research Unit, located on the University Campus He has been Chair of the PD Clinical Study Group of NIHR- for Ageing and Vitality. He is the Director of the University DeNDRoN since May 2008 and was appointed NIHR- Institute for Ageing and Health. He successfully led Newcastle DeNDRoN Associate Director/National Lead for Parkinson’s Biomedicine’s recent £4.5M application for a Biomedical disease in July 2010. He was Clinical Reviews Editor for the Research Unit in Lewy body Dementia. Movement Disorder Journal from January 2007 before taking on an Associate Editorial role in January 2010. Professor He qualified from Oxford University and Newcastle upon Burn was elected to the International Executive Committee Tyne Medical School in 1985. His MD was in the functional of the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) in June 2009 and imaging of parkinsonism. He runs the Movement Disorders is currently Chair of the MDS Congress Scientific Programme service in Newcastle upon Tyne which provides a large regional Committee. He has published over 160 articles on movement service. Research interests include dementia associated with disorders in peer reviewed journals. Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

He was the Royal College of Physicians’ representative on the NICE National Guidelines writing group for Parkinson’s disease (2004-2006). He is currently a member of Medical Advisory Panels for the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (Europe) Association, Multiple System Atrophy Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

28 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Nadine Carroll, MD, FRCP Consultant Geriatrician, Royal Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust [email protected] Falls prevention and assessment

Dr Carroll graduated in Medicine from the University of presenting with acute illness. She is the Trust clinical lead Liverpool in 1981. She worked in Liverpool and Leicester for falls and introduced a falls assessment service run largely before undertaking a Research Fellow post at the Brompton by nurses and therapists which she supports with a weekly Hospital, London in 1985. Her research work was awarded medical falls clinic. A number of publications in abstract form an MD by the University of Liverpool in 1989 with her thesis have been generated from this service. Since appointment entitled “The use of protriptyline and/or nocturnal mechanical as a Consultant Geriatrician she has been actively facilitating ventilatory support for respiratory failure in patients with research between trainees in Geriatric Medicine and the chronic bronchitis and emphysema.” Whilst at the Brompton University Department of Medicine. She was Clinical Director Hospital her work involved patients with sleep disordered of Geriatric Medicine at the Trust from 2001-09. breathing and respiratory failure due to musculoskeletal chest wall disease. Dr Carroll has a strong interest in medical education having been Programme Director for Geriatric Medicine (2004-7), Returning to Liverpool in 1989 as Englert Lecturer to the and latterly Programme Director for Core Medical Training in University Department of Medicine where the research interest Mersey (2007-current date) supervising medical training for was muscle disease, she found clinical and research parallels 130 junior doctors. with her previous experience. Her research involved a wide range of conditions from Duchenne muscular dystrophy to chronic fatigue syndrome and lead to a number of published papers.

Nadine was appointed as Consultant Geriatrician to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital in 1994 where her clinical responsibilities are largely for older people 29 CIMA

Prof. Robin Huw Crompton, BSc, AM, PhD Professor, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology II, Institute for Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Whole body dynamic and finite elements modelling and experimental analysis of the biomechanics and evolution of bipedalism and their significance for healthy musculoskeletal ageing

Professor Crompton graduated with a BSc in Anthropology from developed cutting edge techniques in gait analysis, for University College London University College Cardiff in 1973 example developing an unique method for pixel-by- pixel and went on to an AM (1975) and PhD (1980) in Biological topographical statistical analysis of foot pressure and similar Anthropology at Harvard University. He then joined the newly landmark-free biomechanical phenomena, pedobarographic established Medical School at the Chinese University of Hong Statistical Parametric Mapping (worldwide patent pending). Kong as an anatomist, before moving to Liverpool in 1986, Their research has increasingly focused on analysis of the where he has remained. He was appointed to a personal Chair dynamically-tunable nature of the foot, which enables it to in 2003. He is Editor in Chief of the ISI-cited multidisciplinary transmit breaking, propulsive and balancing forces to the journal Folia Primatologica, and serves on BBSRC Committee ground with maximum efficiency, and on the light which the A; NERC Peer College and EPSRC High Performance evolution of hominin body proportions and segment inertial Computing Committee. properties throws on the biomechanics of ageing in human gait, and interventions to promote safe/stable walking in older Robin’s principal research interest is in locomotor ecology people and the infirm. and biomechanics, and his laboratory has a worldwide reputation for innovation in predictive dynamic modeling of Professor Crompton’s research has been funded by bodies gait. It was one of the first to establish whole-body inverse including MRC, EPSRC, NERC, BBSRC, The Leverhulme Trust and forwards dynamic analysis as a powerful and accurately and the Royal Society. predictive research tool. Emphasis in their work on validation against real-world experimental data and sensitivity testing has contributed very substantially to acceptance of modelling techniques as part of the core methodological inventory for analysis of locomotor biomechanics. They have also

30 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Daniel Cuthbertson, BSc, PhD, MRCP Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Physician, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease [email protected] Understanding the interaction between obesity/ectopic fat deposition, insulin resistance and human metabolism

Dr Cuthbertson graduated from the University of Liverpool in and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Secondly, 1996 with his medical degree (MBChB with Commendation) his research focuses on the metabolic implications of obesity having completed an intercalated degree in Physiology in 1993 (e.g. insulin resistance) and in particular ectopic fat deposition (Upper Second Class degree). Having achieved MRCP in 1999, in liver and skeletal muscle and to what extent these defects he moved to the University of Dundee to undertake his PhD are reversible with physical activity. thesis with Professor Mike Rennie investigating ‘Studies on the effects of essential amino acids and exercise on human Dr Cuthbertson’s research is funded by the European skeletal muscle protein synthesis in health, ageing and in type Federation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD), Diabetes 2 diabetes’. Thereafter he continued to work as a Lecturer and Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF), the NovoNordisk continue research on skeletal muscle metabolism, particularly Research Foundation and the pharmaceutical industry with respect to ageing and insulin resistance. In 2007, (Pfizer, Ipsen, Otsuka). Dr Cuthbertson took up his current position as a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Obesity and Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool.

Dr Cuthbertson’s research has been in two main areas. First, in understanding the mechanisms by which muscle mass declines with ageing and chronic disease. He has previously described the concept of anabolic resistance as a mechanism to explain sarcopenia and now is undertaking studies to determine if this mechanistic defect of anabolic resistance explains accelerated sarcopenia seen in such chronic diseases as type 2 diabetes

31 CIMA

Dr Rachel Duncan, BM, MSc, PhD, MRCP Clinical Senior Lecturer, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the impact of musculoskeletal disease in the oldest old and improving management

Dr Duncan graduated in medicine from the University of ageing in primary care, particularly the oldest old with complex Southampton in 1993. She was awarded MRCP in 1998 and medical needs due to multimorbidity and polypharmacy. went on to train as a Rheumatologist in the South Thames Involvement with the MRC-funded Newcastle 85+ Study has and West Midlands deaneries. During her Specialist Registrar led her to now focus on the impact of musculoskeletal disease training she completed an MSc in Rheumatology in 2001 in this age group and on health services research to improve at the University of Birmingham and was awarded a NIHR the management of common musculoskeletal problems Walport Clinical Lectureship in 2006. encountered in primary care in the oldest old.

Her PhD was undertaken at the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre at Keele University with Professor Croft and Professor Hay, and was awarded in 2008 with a thesis entitled “The association between symptoms and radiographic osteoarthritis in older persons with knee pain: a population- based study”. Following the award of her PhD, Dr Duncan continued to work as Clinical Lecturer at Keele University, where her research centred on the epidemiology of joint pain and osteoarthritis of the knee, focusing on the incidence and progression of radiological patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis.

In 2012, she was appointed as a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University, where her main research interest is within musculoskeletal

32 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Francesco Falciani Professor of Integrative Systems Biology, University of Liverpool [email protected] Systems Biology of ageing muscles

Professor Falciani trained in Molecular Immunology at the evolution of molecular networks in ageing muscles. These Mario Negri Pharmacology institute in Milan. During his post- models have already helped identifying novel regulatory doc at the Wellcome/CRC Institute in Cambridge he developed circuits controlling muscle bioenergetics decline in ageing an interest in complex dataset integration and computational and ageing-related diseases. Other areas of research include modeling. He has extensive experience of the pharmaceutical Stem Cells differentiation towards bone and cartilage and industry where he was Bioinformatics Team Leader at muscle angiogenesis. GlaxoWelcome and Head of Target Discovery at Lorantis Ltd. He was, until recently, Reader in Computational Biology at the His research is currently funded by BBSRC, NERC, DEFRA, University of Birmingham where he co-chaired the Systems the European Commission and by the pharmaceutical Industry. Science for Health program. He has recently relocated to the University of Liverpool where he has been appointed Professor of Integrative Systems Biology.

Francesco heads a research group at the interface between experimental and computational biology. His research interests range from the development of novel computational methods to address the most important challenges in the emerging discipline of systems biology to their application to model complex biological systems. He is currently leading several research projects addressing important questions in muscle skeletal dysfunction in ageing. Of particular relevance is the development of computational models representing the

33 CIMA

Prof. Alejandro F. Frangi, BSc/MSc, PhD, SMIEEE Professor of Biomedical Image Computing, University of Sheffield [email protected] Developing image-based computational physiology models for minimally invasive treatment planning and guidance

Professor Frangi graduated with a BSc/MSc in computing, image- and sensor-based computational physiology Telecommunications Engineering from the Technical University particularly in the areas of the neuromusculoskeletal and of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain in 1996, and completed a PhD cardiorespiratory domains. Prof Frangi has been principal at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands investigator or scientific coordinator of over 20 national and in 2001. He was an Assistant Professor at the University of European projects, both funded by public and private bodies. Zaragoza, Spain, from 2001-2004, Ramón y Cajal Research During 1/2006-3/2010 he was coordinator of the @neurIST (www.aneurist.org), a 12.6m European Integrated Project Fellow (2004-2007) and subsequently Associate Professor € (2007-2011) at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. He that first brought to the clinical arena the Virtual Physiological served as Dean of the Polytechnic School at UPF (2008- Human concepts; during 1/2006-12/2009 he was scientific 2011). He is Professor of Biomedical Image Computing at co-PI for the Spanish CENIT Technology Platform CDTEAM (www.cdteam.org) funded with 15.7m by the Spanish the University of Sheffield since October 2011. Prof Frangi € has over 85 papers in key international journals of his Ministry of Science and Innovation through CDTI and involving research field with an h-index 29. He is Senior Member of 10 companies and 10 academic organizations. He currently IEEE and Associate Editor of IEEE Trans on Medical Imaging participates in the euHeart (www.euheart.eu) Integrated Project and Medical Image Analysis. Prof Frangi is a recipient of the led by Philips Healthcare, the Virtual Physiological Human IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Early Career Award Network of Excellence (www.vph-noe.eu), and is Scientific (2006), and the ICREA-Academia Prize (2009). Coordinator of the CENIT Technology Platform cvREMOD (www.cvremod.com) funded with 13.6m by the Spanish € He is member of the newly created INSIGNEO Institute for Ministry of Science and Innovation. in silico Medicine, a joint initiative from the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. His main research interests are in medical image

34 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Jim Gallagher, BSc, PhD Derby Professor of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Bone and Joint Research Group, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Elucidating the basic mechanisms underlying human bone and joint disease

Professor Jim Gallagher obtained his BSc from the University UK universities. His group pioneered research on the role of Newcastle upon Tyne and MSc from the University of of extracellular nucleotides and P2 receptors in bone. He is Aberdeen, followed by a PhD from the University of Cambridge a founder member of the UK Purine Club. He collaborated where he investigated the metabolism of vitamin D, under the extensively with industry and is a founder and director of supervision of Eric Lawson. He then undertook postdoctoral PalindromX, a UoL spin-out company. Recently his laboratory research in Herbie Fleisch’s lab in Bern working on has elucidated the mechanism of joint destruction in the bisphosphonates. He returned to England to work in Graham inherited disease alkaptonuria (AKU). He is scientific advisor Russell’s lab in Sheffield where along with Jon Beresford, he to the AKU Society UK and a co-ordinator of FindAKUre, developed the first techniques to culture cells expressing an a Europe-wide collaboration to develop new therapeutic osteoblastic phenotype from human bone. In 1984 he was strategies for AKU. appointed to a lectureship in Mineralised Tissue Biology at University College London where he worked with Alan Boyde. Professor Gallagher’s research has been funded by research He moved to the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell councils, Wellcome Trust, ARUK, EUFP & industry. Biology, University of Liverpool in 1986 and has undertaken He currently holds grants from the Big Lottery and the short sabbaticals at the University of Melbourne with Jack AKU Society. Martin working on PTHrP and Ciba-Geigy, Basle with Graeme Bilbe on gene expression in bone. Jim has published over 100 full peer-reviewed publications (H-index 30), over 20 book chapters and 5 patents. He has a distinguished record in academic leadership and mentorship having been the head of a large academic department for 7 years and having supervised 22 PhD students, 7 of whom hold academic positions in

35 CIMA

Dr Alison Gartland, BSc, PhD, PGCert HE, FEHEA Lecturer in Bone Biology, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of musculoskeletal diseases

Cross-section through a primary chondrocyte culture in vitro

P2X7R-induced ethidium bromide uptake (red) in human osteoclasts in vitro

TRAP stained human osteoclasts (red) resorbing the surface of ivory (blue-purple)

Dr Gartland graduated with a BSc in Biomedical Technology Alison is a founder member of the European Nucleotides and from Sheffield Hallam University in 1995 and completed a Bone Consortium, which facilitates collaboration between PhD at the University of Liverpool in 2001. She undertook leading European research groups working on ATP, P2 postdoctoral training at the Institut de Génétique Moléculaire receptors and bone. Alison’s research is funded by Arthritis de Montpellier, CNRS, France and in the laboratory of the late Research UK and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical Sandy Marks at University of Massachusetts Medical School, industry. Alison is currently a committee member of the USA before returning to The University of Liverpool in 2004. Bone Research Society and founder and secretary of the Dr Gartland was appointed as Lecturer in Bone Biology at the UK Purine Club. University of Sheffield in 2006.

Alison’s principal research interest is in understanding the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for musculoskeletal disease and cancer, with an emphasis on the role of extracellular ATP and P2 receptors. Current projects include investigating the role of P2 receptors in bone and cartilage using both in vivo and in vitro models; the mechanisms of ATP release from osteoblasts; association of

polymorphisms in the P2X7 receptor with osteoporosis and arthritis-induced joint destruction and bone loss; the effect of metal ions on bone cells in vitro and determining the bone phenotype of various knock-out mice.

36 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Douglas Gray, BSc, PhD Professor of Ageing Science, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding age-related changes in protein homeostasis and their impact on tissue structure and function

Professor Gray received doctoral training as a retrovirologist at including the NF-KB pathway. These mice display age-related the University of Western Ontario and postdoctoral training in tissue dysfunction, and together with the dominant-negative mammalian insertional mutagenesis at the Whitehead Institute, transgenic strains are expected to provide insights into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has previously been ageing of muscle, bones and joints. a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunlogy Professor Gray’s research is funded by the Canadian Institutes at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. Professor of Health Research, the Canadian Cancer Society Research Gray was the inaugural holder of the University of Ottawa Institute, and the JGW Patterson Foundation (UK). Joan Sealy Chair in Lung Cancer. He has recently relocated to Newcastle University where he has been appointed Professor of Ageing Science.

Doug’s interest in the ubiquitin/proteasome system arose from the identification of deubiquitinating enzymes during a mouse mutagenesis screen. He has created cell lines and transgenic mice which through a dominant negative strategy have advanced the study of protein homeostasis in vivo. He is particularly interested in the age-related decline of proteolytic efficiency and fidelity, and how this decline may contribute to diseases of ageing. Most recently he has generated knockout mice in which the loss of function of deubiquitinating enzymes leads to dysregulation of cell signalling systems

37 CIMA

Prof. Richard D Griffiths, BSc, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FFICM, FHEA Professor of Medicine (Intensive Care), Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing & Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Whiston Hospital, Prescot, U.K [email protected] Recovering lives: The rehabilitation of the critically ill

Professor Griffiths did his undergraduate training in Medicine and cellular protection mechanisms and clinical intensive (MBBS) at University College London where he also obtained care research on the physical, psychological and cognitive a BSc in Physiology. This was followed by a research MD dysfunction following ICU. A multi-centre European study studying human muscle energetics by MR spectroscopy. showed how an ICU diary could prevent post ICU PTSD and On moving to Liverpool in 1984 he continued his research won the 2011 BioMed Central 5th Annual Research Awards interests in muscle and expanded these into nutrition (Medicine). Richard has contributed to the research evidence (glutamine) and the critically ill consistent with his medical for a recent UK NICE clinical guideline on rehabilitation career move in 1985 into adult Intensive Care Medicine. following intensive care.

Recognized internationally as a pioneer of the rehabilitation As a clinical academic with a busy intensive care commitment of the post-ICU patient, he was involved in the first ICU Richard was for many years council member and Chair of the cost-effectiveness outcome study in the UK in conjunction research committee of the Intensive Care Society contributing with the Kings Fund in 1988. In 1995 awarded The John to the evolution of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine of M Kinney International award for Nutrition and Metabolism which he is a founding fellow. He has also been extensively for the effect of passive stretch on muscle in the critically involved over the last two decades in undergraduate curriculum ill. Subsequently Richard has published extensively on the reform and as the Director of the Final Year has pioneered a physical, psychological and cognitive problems of the post ICU much praised portfolio based learning program and is a Fellow patient and led the first multi-centre study on the rehabilitation of the Higher Education Academy. of the critically ill patient. His current research themes include collaborative laboratory research within musculoskeletal biology Professor Griffiths’ current research funding from the NIHR focusing on how skeletal muscle can be preserved in the and the MRC. critically ill elderly patient through effects on oxidative stress

38 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. John Hunt, BSc, PhD, DSc. FRSC Professor in The Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Head of the Unit of Clinical Engineering and director of the U.K. Centre for Tissue Engineering (UKCTE), University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the generic science and delivery of interventional Medical Therapies requiring the use of a material

Professor Hunt graduated with a BSc in Biology and Physics researched today also include cells and within that, expertise from Nottingham in 1988, completed a PhD at Liverpool in and intellectual property has been created relating to primary 1991 and was awarded his DSc in 2006. Professor Hunt cell sourcing, controlling cell function and phenotype through undertook post-doctoral training in the Institute of Medical and defining and controlling extracellular matrix interactions, Dental Bioengineering at the University of Liverpool and in angiogenesis, inflammation and tissue regeneration. From 1992 was awarded the Jean Leray Award from the European a strong long lived generic research platform, specific Society of Biomaterials for his research. Professor Hunt then applications and knowledge has been applied to and continue progressed through the academic career pathway to become to be developed for musculoskeletal tissues, specifically Head of the Department of Clinical Engineering in 2004 and cartilage and bone, visceral and vascular tissues. was given a personal chair at Liverpool in 2008. Professor Hunt’s research has been funded by the European John’s research focuses on developing breakthrough therapies, Commission, BBSRC, MRC and EPSRC as well as by Industry. devices and technology to repair, replace, augment and in the future regenerate diseased and damaged tissues in humans using material interventions. These come from an in depth generic first principles approach to understanding and directing the patient’s cellular and molecular mechanisms and responses related to the clinical outcome and efficacy of medical devices, biocompatibility, inflammation and stem cell biology. Tissue engineering processes are developed and applied, addressing the key areas of patient treatments requiring intervention and material implantation; the materials of choice being

39 CIMA

Prof. John Innes, BVSc, PhD, DSAS(orth), MRCVS Professor of veterinary surgery, Interim-head, Department of Musculoskeletal biology (Leahurst and Aintree campuses) University of Liverpool [email protected] Animal models of osteoarthritis and ligament degeneration

Professor Innes graduated in veterinary science from using biomarkers, metabolomics and MRI to better understand the University of Liverpool in 1991. After two years of these translational models. In vitro modelling of cartilage postgraduate training in surgery at University of Bristol, he degradation in a variety of species has been used extensively undertook a PhD in osteoarthritis at the Rheumatology Unit to investigate candidate structure-modifying agents, including at Bristol Royal Infirmary under the direction of Paul Dieppe. nutrients; a US patent was forthcoming from this work. More He then spent a further five years as a clinical lecturer in recent work, building on Wellcome Trust-funded research in veterinary orthopaedics at Bristol, working with Allen Bailey Sydney, is exploring sustained-release, local-delivery siRNA on collagen metabolism in canine ligament and equine bone, therapeutic strategies in OA in collaboration with John Hunt. before moving to a chair of veterinary surgery at Liverpool in 2001. He has also spent periods of research leave with Bruce Professor Innes’s research has been funded by Wellcome Trust, Caterson at Cardiff, and recently as a visiting professor at BBSRC, Horserace Betting Levy Board, Kennel Club and PetPlan University of Sydney with Chris Little at the Raymond Purves charitable trusts, and the pharmaceutical and nutrition sectors. Bone and Joint Laboratories.

Professor Innes’s research is focussed on naturally-occurring and induced models of OA and ligament failure. His work has contributed to the understanding of age-related loss of structural and material properties, in concert with cellular and matrix alterations (collagen and elastin), of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); this had led to new work on human ACL degeneration and GWAS for canine cruciate failure. A recent consortium (Innes and Clegg at Liverpool, James Cook at Columbia, Missouri and Wayne McIlwraith at Fort Collins, Colorado) explored three different induced canine models of OA 40 Confocal images of cells of the anterior cruciate ligament [J. Anat. (2011) 218: 600-607]. The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Carol Jagger, BSc, PhD AXA Professor of Epidemiology of Ageing, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University [email protected] Development of existing and novel cohorts for studying musculoskeletal ageing

Professor Jagger graduated with a BSc in Mathematics from ageing. Carol’s work on disability and ageing at the individual the University of Leeds in 1972. After five years of teaching level has spanned the whole disablement process, from in secondary schools she returned to Leeds to complete understanding the building blocks commonly used to assess an MSc in Statistics and then began a PhD in Statistics at disability (Activities of Daily Living) and their order of loss with the University of Leicester which she completed in 1983. ageing in order to inform better technology design, through Professor Jagger was appointed Lecturer in Medical Statistics to the impact of changing disease patterns on disability in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health and the need for long term care. The latter has involved the at the University of Leicester in 1987, Senior Lecturer in development of a microsimulation model based on the MRC Epidemiology in 1994 and was awarded a personal Chair Cognitive Function and Ageing Study, allowing the impact in 2000. Between 2001 and 2004 she was Director of of non-fatal diseases such as arthritis and fatal diseases the Leicester Unit of the Trent Institute for Health Services (e.g. stroke) to be compared in terms of disability-free life Research. In 2010 she was awarded a five-year AXA expectancy. This work has gained considerable interest from Professorship in Epidemiology of Ageing in the Institute for government and Carol has been asked to provide evidence Ageing and Health, Newcastle University. to the House of Commons Work-and-Pensions and Health Committees and the Dilnot Commission in its work planning Carol’s research crosses the interface between epidemiology social care provision for older people. Carol holds a visiting and demography of ageing, with a particular focus on healthy Chair in the Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences at active life expectancy and its use to monitor population ageing. Keele University and chairs the Cross-cohort Steering Group for This work has been through major UK cohort studies of ageing. their Arthritis Research UK National Primary Care Centre. She played a leading role in the Melton Mowbray Studies of Ageing, which have resulted in over 50 scientific papers, Professor Jagger’s research is funded by the AXA Research Fund, and she has subsequently been a key player in the Medical the Medical Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study and Council and the European Union Public Health Programme. the Newcastle 85+ Study, multidisciplinary projects aimed at delivering new understanding of determinants of healthy 41 CIMA

Dr Jonathan Jarvis, BSc PhD Reader in Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Liverpool [email protected] Muscle adaptation in response to activity

Dr Jonathan Jarvis graduated BSc in Physics with Physiology He currently measures transcriptional (PCR and microarray) from Queen Elizabeth College London and PhD in Biochemistry and morphological (micro-CT) responses of musculoskeletal from Imperial College. He began research investigating changes units to increased and decreased activity. With Jim Gallagher in muscle speed, force and endurance induced by increased and Nathan Jeffery he is investigating the integrated responses activity. With Stanley Salmons he developed implantable of muscle, bone and tendon to muscle loading, and to muscle pacemakers for experimental use. Using miniature disuse induced by tetrodotoxin block. These experiments will integrated circuits, complex daily patterns of muscle activity provide objective guidance in prescribing exercise or rest for can now be investigated in mice. maintenance of musculoskeletal health. Once the principles of the response to exercise and disuse are understood in model As a Beit Memorial Fellow he pursued the concept of cardiac systems, the similarities and differences across species, with assistance from skeletal muscle, exploiting the extreme ageing and with genetic variation can be pursued. resistance to fatigue induced by chronic activation. With BHF programme funding he demonstrated the feasibility of transferring pumping effort from transposed skeletal muscles to the failing cardiovascular system, establishing a successful preclinical model.

He showed that the effects of particular patterns of activity are scaled with body size in a similar way to the scaling of the natural force-frequency relationships. He has thus advised on stimulation patterns used to assist the heart in man, to activate paralysed muscles to improve muscle bulk, and to activate laryngeal muscles in equine neuropathy. 42 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Nathan Jeffery, BSc PhD Senior Lecturer, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology II, Institute for Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Mapping the principal functional demands that underpin the morphological diversity and evolution of mammals

Dr Nathan Jeffery completed his PhD on ontogenetic models collaborates with colleagues in applying the above ideas and of skull evolution at University College London in 1999. He techniques to provide important insights into muscle wasting, was subsequently awarded a Wellcome Trust post-doctoral cardiac failure, fracture of the proximal phalanx in racehorses fellowship to continue his work before leaving in 2002 to as well as the initiation and progression of alkaptonuria and take up a lectureship in anatomy at the University of other forms of degenerative joint disease. Liverpool. Nathan is presently a senior lecturer in the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing Dr. Jeffery’s research is funded by the Natural Environment and Chronic Disease. Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and various charities. Nathan’s research focuses primarily on the ontogeny and evolution of morphological adaptations in mammals and how this can contextualise our understanding of development, disease as well as ageing. He has developed several imaging approaches to document these adaptations, including high-resolution MRI and contrast enhanced microCT, and employs advanced computational methods such as geometric morphometrics and biomechanical simulations to test key paradigms. Current core interests include evolution of the mammalian inner ear, biomechanics of the rodent masticatory apparatus as well as the functional anatomy of the paranasal sinuses in carnivores and the biomechanical consequences of monodactyl locomotion among equids. He currently

43 CIMA

Dr Elizabeth Laird, BSc, PhD Lecturer in Orthopaedic Sciences, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the role of collagen synthesis and degradation in age-related musculskeletal conditions

Dr Laird (née Canty) graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry conditions. Projects include a PhD studentship to characterise and Biological Chemistry from the University of Nottingham in the molecular differences between ligament and tendon and 1997. Elizabeth was awarded the Masson-Gulland Memorial a collaborative departmental BBRSC-funded PhD studentship Prize and Medal from the Department of Chemistry for using systems biology to improve tissue engineering of cartilage outstanding final year project work in Biological Chemistry. and tendon. Elizabeth’s PhD studies at the University of Manchester were funded by Arthritis Research UK and investigated the biochemical basis of an inherited form of short-limbed dwarfism with early-onset osteoarthritis. Dr Laird undertook postdoctoral training in the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell- Matrix Research in Manchester, funded by two sequential Wellcome Trust program grants, during which time she was instrumental in the identification and characterisation of the cellular mechanisms of collagen fibril alignment in tendon. Elizabeth was awarded the Rupert Timpl prize in 2006 from the International Society for Matrix Biology for the best paper published in the field in the preceding 2 years. Dr Laird was appointed to a Lectureship in Orthopaedic Sciences at the University of Liverpool in 2010. Dr Laird’s research interests encompass the mechanisms of collagen fibre assembly organisation in musculoskeletal tissues and the role of collagen synthesis and degradation in age-related musculoskeletal

44 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Sue Mawson MCSP Bsc (Hon) PhD Director, NIHR CLAHRC for South Yorkshire Professor of Health Services Research [email protected] Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies research group at the School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield

Professor Sue Mawson originally trained as a Physiotherapist in number of publications in the field of outcome measurement, London at the Middlesex Hospital graduating with a Bsc (Hons) tele rehabilitation and the use of user-centred design in the in 1991 from Sheffield Hallam University where she developed development of innovative health technologies. and lead the Masters in Neurological Rehabilitation. In 1997 she completed her PhD study identifying the characteristics of Sue is currently a partner on an EU Framework 7 bid with motor recovery following a stroke. In 2011 Sue was appointed colleagues in Sweden, Italy and Poland the purpose of the Professor of Health Services Research in the School for Health research being to improve the implementation of ICT based and Related Research at the University of Sheffield, working models for chronic disease management. Internationally Sue within the Rehabilitation and Assistive technology group and is developing research links with the Veterans Administration the newly established a Centre for Assistive Technology and Medical Centre in Washington DC which she visited in Digital Healthcare. In 2011 Sue became an elected Board February of this year, the University of Jordan in Amman, the member of the Health Services Research Network working Southern Cross University in New South Wales and Queensland with senior research leaders to promote and develop a University in Queensland. research culture within the NHS. In 2008 Professor Mawson led the successful South Yorkshire Professor Mawson’s research focuses on improving the quality application to become a National Institute of Health Research of life of people with long term conditions, particularly through Collaboration for Leadership in applied Research and Care exploration of the effectiveness of rehabilitative interventions. (CLARHC). This multi disciplinary innovation community Sue’s research work, funded predominantly through the is driven by the needs of people with long term conditions, Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, undertaking applied research, capacity development and has capitalised on new innovations in sensor and digital knowledge implementation, identifying news ways of enabling technologies and involves interdisciplinary work, integrating the adoption and diffusion of evidence based practices clinical rehabilitation researchers with engineering, design, and services through user-centred design methods and self mecatronics, informatics and digital media specialists. management principles. www.clahrc-sy.nihr.ac.uk. www.theSmartconsortium.org. Her work has lead to a 45 CIMA

Dr Jennifer Milner BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellow [email protected] Understanding the role of novel serine proteases in the proteolytic pathways leading to cartilage resorption in arthritis

Jennifer Milner graduated in BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry not just an activator of pro-collagenases but also an inducer from Warwick University in 1997 and MSc in Biochemical of collagenase expression and is a potent initiator of cartilage Pharmacology from University of Southampton in 1998. She resorption. This supports the emerging concept that proteases completed her PhD studies with Professor Tim Cawston in are not just merely degradative enzymes but are key players in the Musculoskeletal Research Group, Newcastle in 2001. Dr modulating cell behaviour and function. Milner undertook her postdoctoral training with Professors Tim Cawston and Drew Rowan in Newcastle and was awarded an Dr Milner’s research is funded by Arthritis Research UK, Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellowship in 2009. The Nuffield Foundation, Medical Research Council and JGW Patterson Foundation. Dr Milner’s research interest is on understanding the proteolytic pathways that lead to cartilage resorption in arthritis in order to identify new therapeutic targets. Her PhD studies showed that activation of pro-collagenases is a key control point in cartilage collagen resorption and that serine proteases are involved in these activation cascades. Dr Milner’s postdoctoral studies focused on profiling serine protease expression in chondrocytes and cartilage and identifying which were elevated in arthritis. This work led to the identification of several serine proteases and their role in cartilage biology is under investigation. In the last few years Dr Milner’s work has focused on a membrane serine protease, matriptase, which is elevated in osteoarthritic cartilage and can initiate cartilage resorption. Matriptase is

46 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Peter Milner BVetMed, BSc, PhD, CertES(Orth), MRCVS, FHEA Lecturer, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool. [email protected] Cellular physiology of articular cartilage

Dr Peter Milner graduated in veterinary medicine from the Dr Milner’s work has been supported by the Wellcome Trust, Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1997, having BBSRC, Horserace Betting Levy Board and PetPlan Charitable achieved an intercalated BSc in Physiology with Biomedical Trust and has recently been awarded a Wellcome Trust Sciences (First Class) in 1994. After three years in private Research Leave Fellowship to pursue work in the role of anti- practice, Dr Milner undertook postgraduate training in surgery oxidant systems in osteoarthritis and the ageing joint with at the University of Cambridge, remaining at Cambridge to Professor Malcolm Jackson. complete a PhD in cellular physiology of articular cartilage. During this work he studied the importance of mitochondrial derived reactive oxygen species in regulating cellular function, such as intracellular pH homeostasis and has published in a number of journals such as Arthritis and Rheumatism, Pflugers Archive – European Journal of Physiology and Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, University of Liverpool.

Peter’s research interests lies in the link between alterations in the physiochemical environment of the joint (such as oxygen and pH) and the effects on cellular function, in particular regulation of chondrocyte activity by the mitochondrion. He has a diversity of research and clinical interests ranging from pain pathways involving puringergic P2X receptors in chronic disease to MRI and biomechanics of the equine hoof.

47 CIMA

Prof. Robert J Moots, PhD, FRCP Professor of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the role of inflammation in musculoskeletal diseases: driving the development of new therapies from bench to bedside

After qualifying in Medicine in London UK and undertaking Professor Moots has extensive experience in drug development - junior medical posts at Northwick Park Hospital, London, working with the pharmaceutical industry globally and acting Professor Moots earned his PhD in immunology at the Institute as medical advisor to the UK National Institute for health and for Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford. He then Clinical Excellence (NICE). He is Medical Advisor to a number completed his training in rheumatology at the University of of major patient associations and each year receives invitations Birmingham before leaving the UK to continue his research at to lecture on every continent. In 2009, he became Editor-in- Harvard Medical School, USA, in 1995. On his return to the Chief of the journal, Rheumatology. UK he joined the University of Liverpool, initially as Senior lecturer in Rheumatology and consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree and in 2002, full Professor of Rheumatology, the youngest person appointed to such a post in the UK.

Professor Moots’ research interests lie in clinical and basic science aspects of rheumatic diseases from bench to bedside, focused on the role of inflammation. He has published extensively in both clinical and laboratory science, receives research funding from research councils, charities and the pharmaceutical industry, has won many awards for research (including the Michael Mason Prize in 1997) and plays leading roles as Chairman or Board member on major scientific bodies and research committees in the UK and internationally.

48 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Munitta Muthana, PhD Lecturer in Academic Unit of Rheumatology [email protected] Understanding the role of inflammatory cells in arthritis

Munitta’s principal research interest is in understanding the research interests on targeting macrophage subsets in the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the hypoxic tumour microenvironment. Since the proliferative recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in rheumatoid and invasive nature of the RA synovium has frequently led arthritis (RA). A classical feature of RA is the massive influx to comparisons with growing tumours and both these diseases and activation of inflammatory cells particularly ‘macrophages’ are exacerbated by macrophages, Munitta is in a unique resulting in inadequate oxygen supply that can’t keep pace position to adapt previous expertise to develop novel making the joint hypoxic (oxygen-deficient). Similar to cancers, therapeutic strategies that block macrophage uptake and/or where hypoxic macrophages contribute to tumour growth and activity in rheumatoid joints. spread, Munitta believes that RA is sustained by macrophages that adopt an abnormal function in hypoxia and participate in the perpetuation of the disease and in the destruction of joint tissues. By studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which macrophages respond to hypoxia in the joint, new ways to target these cells and their products will be identified. Current research projects in Munitta’s team include identifying the distinct macrophage subtypes within hypoxic RA joints and investigating the key hypoxia-regulated mechanisms promoting their recruitment and activation and using an exciting ‘nanomagnetic’ approach developed in Munitta’s laboratory to stop the affects of these macrophages and arrest or even reverse disease progression and joint damage in pre- clinical RA models. This research builds on Munitta’s previous

49 CIMA

Prof. Jon Nicholl, DSc, FFPH Professor of Health Services Research and Dean of the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield [email protected] Developing methods for the evaluation of treatments and services

Professor Nicholl trained as a statistician and after working Randomised Controlled Trials, and has been instrumental in as a research associate at University College London carrying developing the Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit. He has out road traffic accident research, moved to the University of published a wide range of both trial and non-trial evaluation Sheffield as statistician to the Medical Care Research Unit. studies and methods papers on innovative and mixed methods He was appointed Director of the MCRU in 1994. He is an approaches to evaluation. Professor Nicholl’s current research NIHR Senior Investigator, a fellow of the Faculty of Public is mainly focused on the use of large observational datasets, Health, and also a Chartered Statistician and Fellow of the created by linking bespoke clinical datasets and routine health Royal Statistical Society. service data, for the evaluation of treatments and services.

He was Deputy Chair of the MRC Health Services and Public Health Research Board and the MRC Clinical Trials Cross- Board. He was also Chair of both the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme Commissioning Boards. He is currently Director of the NIHR national School of Public Health Research and Chair of the Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care panel for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

His main research interests lie in the evaluation of health care and health policy, particularly in the field of emergency and urgent care. He has a long standing interest in accident research, and the management of trauma. He has been Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on over 20 major

50 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Stuart Parker, MD, FRCP Professor of Health Care for Older People, University of Sheffield [email protected] Organising and delivering effective health services for older people

Professor Stuart Parker graduated in Medicine from the director. This is a major programme of applied health research University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1980. He trained in which directly addresses the “second gap” in translation Medicine and Geriatric Medicine in Newcastle upon Tyne, from campus to clinic. During 2010/11 this programme and gained his MD in 1990. Stuart was awarded a Nuffield had 84 active projects (11 of which were completed), 45 Foundation/ British Geriatrics Society travelling fellowship to peer-reviewed publications and over 250 people working on pursue post-doctoral research training in Gerontology in the CLAHRC SY projects across South Yorkshire. Netherlands, before returning to the UK to take up a Senior Lectureship at the University of Leicester. Stuart came to Sheffield in 2000 to take up a chair in Health Care for Older People in the Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing. He is an honorary consultant physician at Barnsley Hospital, where he is director of Research and Development.

Stuart is a health services researcher and his interests focus on the organisation and delivery of effective health services for older people including acute care, care transitions, case management, the assessment of health status, intermediate care and rehabilitation.

Stuart is part of a team that was awarded the NIHR Collaboration for leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for South Yorkshire, of which he is associate

51 CIMA

Dr Joao Passos, BSc, MRes, PhD BBSRC David Phillips Fellow, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the role of signalling pathways leading to telomere and mitochondrial dysfunction in cellular ageing

Dr Joao Passos graduated with a degree in Biochemistry from Work in his laboratory combines mathematical modelling, the University of Porto, Portugal in 2002 having spent a year functional networks and both in vitro and in vivo experimental conducting research on stress response in bacteria at the systems to understand the role of signalling pathways leading Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Porto. He then to telomere dysfunction and mitochondrial dysfunction in integrated in 2002 the highly competitive graduate program cellular ageing. from Porto University, GABBA and conducted his PhD between 2003-2006 at Newcastle University with Tom Kirkwood and Joao’s research was the first to demonstrate a link between Thomas von Zglinicki investigating the role of mitochondrial telomeres and mitochondrial dysfunction during cellular dysfunction in cellular ageing. He remained in Newcastle ageing and his research is now focussing on identifying the University as a Research Associate at the BBSRC-funded signalling pathways involved in the process. Recently, his team Centre for Integrate Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition has shown that stress-induced damage to telomeres occurs (CISBAN) and temporarily at the Max Planck Institute for Stem irrespectively of length and is an important factor in the ageing Cell ageing in Ulm, Germany. During that time he investigated process. This work was published in Nature Communications signalling pathways involved in cellular ageing. in 2012.

In November 2010 Joao took up a David Phillips Fellowship and is now leading a team at the Institute for Ageing and Health of 4 PhD students, 1 research technician and several undergraduate and MRes students.

52 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Hilary J Powers, BSc, PhD, RNutr, FSB Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry, Head of Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding the role of micronutrients in optimising function and modulating disease risk

Professor Powers graduated in biological sciences from the interest and expertise in the development, optimisation and University of Leicester in 1971 and with a PhD in Nutritional validation of functional biomarkers of nutritional status relevant Biochemistry from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical to disease outcome. Medicine, University of London, in 1979. She was on the scientific staff of the MRC Dunn Nutrition Laboratory at The Hilary continues to serve on national and international bodies University of Cambridge for 10 years, following which she engaged in furthering understanding of the importance of moved to Sheffield University to help establish the Centre for nutrients as determinants of disease risk, and establishing Human Nutrition. In 2000 she was appointed Head of the dietary recommendations. She currently sits on the Centre for Human Nutrition and in 2004 she was appointed to Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition a chair in nutritional biochemistry. (SACN) and on the Department of Health’s Project Board for the National Diet and Nutrition Surveys. She has recently been Hilary’s research career has focussed on the metabolism appointed to chair the Department of Health Working Group and functional importance of micronutrients, including their on Vitamin D, which will report and make recommendations roles in the pathophysiology of chronic disease and the in 2014. mechanisms underpinning their function, including roles in minimising oxidative damage and DNA instability. Her research Hilary’s research has largely been supported by BBSRC, World embraces study at the molecular level, employing cell models Cancer Research Fund International, and the Department of of depletion or of disease states, and at the whole body level. Health (Food Standards Agency). She has extensive experience of conducting randomised trials of micronutrients, with various functional outcomes in settings worldwide and across the human lifespan. She also has

53 CIMA

Dr Carole Proctor, BSc, MSc, DPhil Senior Research Associate [email protected] Development of computer simulation models of the molecular mechanisms of ageing in relation to musculoskeletal diseases

Dr Proctor graduated from the Open University in 1995 with worked closely with experimental scientists in the development a BSc in Mathematics and completed an MSc in applied of the models and for testing model predictions. Her stochastic processes at the University College London in 1997 collaborators included groups at the Ottawa Hospital Research followed by a DPhil in biomathematical modelling at the Institute, Southampton University, and King’s College London. University of Sussex in 2000. She then moved to Newcastle Her current research is to develop systems biology models of University and carried out postdoctoral research with osteoarthritis and cartilage metabolism. The aim of the models Professor Tom Kirkwood at the Institute for Ageing and Health will be to establish which pathways are involved in cartilage investigating molecular mechanisms of ageing by the use of homeostasis and how these are compromised as the tissue stochastic mathematical models. She has worked on a number ages. The same pathways will also be examined in bone, of projects including the BBSRC-funded Biology of Ageing muscle and tendon. e-Science Integration and Simulation system which involved the development of web-based tools to build and simulate In 2006, Carole was elected to the Executive committee of the systems-biology models of ageing. In 2008, Dr Proctor British Society for Research on Ageing and served as editor of obtained a Research Fellowship with Alzheimer Scotland and their online journal and newsletter. Alzheimer’s Research UK to investigate the role of protein Dr Proctor’s research is funded by the Medical Research aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases using a systems Council and Arthritis Research UK. biology approach.

Carole’s principal research interest has been developing and using computer simulation models to investigate the key molecular mechanisms involved in maintaining protein homeostasis and how these are disturbed in ageing. Carole

54 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Louise Reynard, MA Cantab, PhD Newcastle University Research Fellow [email protected] Functional characterisation of Osteoarthritis susceptibility loci

Louise Reynard graduated from the University of Cambridge Louise has presented her work at international meetings, with a MA Cantab in Natural Sciences, specialising in including the OARSI world congress, the OARSI OA biomarkers Genetics. She completed her PhD studies in Developmental Global Initiative, and the Nature winter symposium on Genetics at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research. Epigenetics in Development and Disease. As a STEMNET Louise joined Newcastle University in 2009 when she began Ambassador, Louise has spoken about her research at her postdoctoral training with Professor John Loughlin. She has several public events including two events at the Centre for now been promoted to Research Fellow status Life museum in Newcastle organised by the Xplore Health consortium funded by the European commission. She Dr Reynard’s research is focused on the functional supervises several PhD students and postdoctoral scientists characterisation of OA susceptibility loci that have been within Professor Loughlin’s group. Louise’s research is funded identified by the arcOGEN consortium. Elucidating the by Arthritis Research UK, the Dr William Harker Foundation, molecular mechanisms that underlie the susceptibility and the JGW Patterson Foundation. mediated by these genes will increase our understanding of OA etiology, potentially aid diagnosis and treatment, and will suggest relevant targets for therapeutic investigation. Louise is also interested in the molecular interplay between genetics and epigenetics in OA susceptibility, in particular, how DNA methylation can modulate the effect of genetic variation on disease penetrance and severity. She is currently looking at the effect DNA methylation has on the expression of the OA susceptibility gene GDF5 in different synovial joint tissues.

55 CIMA

Prof. Lynn Rochester, MCSP, PhD Professor of Human Movement Science, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the mechanisms of gait and the impact of ageing and disease

Professor Lynn Rochester holds a BRC-funded Chair in Human Examples of current work include the evaluation of gait as a Movement Science. She graduated as a physiotherapist in biomarker for cognitive decline and use of neurophysiological Newcastle, specialising in neuro-rehabilitation before completing techniques to explore the pathology of gait impairment in her PhD in muscle physiology in 1992. She joined Newcastle Parkinson’s; the use of technology such as virtual reality and University in 2008 and is a member of the Institute of Ageing and computer gaming systems to address gait and mobility disorders, Health. She is Vice-Chair of the Scientific Trust of the Chartered and use of external sensory cueing for rehabilitation. Outcome Society of Physiotherapy; a member of the Research Advisory Panel measurement is also a key area of research and includes the of Parkinson’s UK and a member of the International Movement validation of novel outcome measures derived from tri-axial Disorders Society Scientific Conference Programme Committee. accelerometers to measure gait and activity and exploring their diagnostic and predictive validity for falls and cognitive impairment. Lynn leads a research programme in gait and mobility disorders in Studies include a range of conditions such as neurodegenerative age and age associated conditions. Lynn and her team are based disorders, older adults and musculoskeletal disorders. in the Clinical Ageing Research Unit which houses state of the art equipment for movement analysis. The research is informed by 3 Lynn has published seminal translational studies defining and core themes: mechanisms of gait dysfunction; measurement of gait optimising methods to improve gait in Parkinson’s which changed and activity; and intervention development to improve mobility. clinical practice worldwide following adoption into clinical These themes form distinct yet overlapping and integrated bodies guidelines. A key research aim is to maximise impact through of work. Her main research interests are concerned with motor timely translation of findings into clinical practice and an academic control of gait, impact of ageing, and the complex interactions physiotherapy service has been developed and integrated into the of non-motor and motor symptoms and their consequences for Regional Movement Disorders Service to facilitate this aim. independent mobility. Lynn receives funding from the Medical Research Council, Michael J Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s UK, Welcome Trust, European Union FP7, National Institute for Health Research BRU in Lewy Body Dementia. 56 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Drew Rowan, BSc, PhD Professor of Molecular Rheumatology, Deputy Head of the Musculoskeletal Research Group, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the mechanisms of cartilage destruction in arthritis and developing new approaches to treatment

Professor Rowan graduated with a BSc in Biological Sciences is a major research interest, and experimental models of in 1983 and completed his PhD at the world-renowned both rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis are enabling this. Drew’s Strangeway’s Research Laboratories, Cambridge, in 1989. early arthritis studies focused on the concept of cytokine Professor Rowan performed his early post-doctoral training synergy, especially in the context of inflammatory arthritis. in the Joint Diseases Laboratory at the Shriner’s Institute in Studies have shown that several cytokines associated with the Montreal, followed by a post at Addenbrooke’s hospital in inflammation of arthritis are able to synergise, with a marked Cambridge. In 1996 he took up a lecturership at Newcastle increase in the expression of the collagenolytic MMPs. Such University, helping Tim Cawston establish the Musculoskeletal interactions are clearly relevant to disease, and Drew has Research Group. In 2007, Drew was appointed Professor of more recently focused on cell signaling pathways such as Akt Molecular Rheumatology. and PKC, as well as the molecular mechanisms that mediate this synergistic expression. Finally, Drew has begun studying Drew has two main and interlinked research interests which cartilage enzymes that themselves initiate cell signaling via focus on the molecular mechanisms underpinning cartilage proteolytic cleavage of receptors such as PAR-2 which lead to breakdown in arthritic diseases. Firstly, his enzymologist the expression of proteinases that drive cartilage destruction. A training now focuses on the diverse proteinases that collectively detailed understanding of such mechanisms will highlight new drive cartilage breakdown. Despite a strong emphasis on therapeutic targets for further investigation. the metalloproteinases, especially matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we now know other enzyme classes also have Professor Rowan’s research is funded by Arthritis Research UK, important roles in arthritis. Indeed, several novel enzymes the Medical Research Council and local charities. have been identified, and Drew’s early interest in protein structure:function relationships has been rekindled towards this. The development of inhibitors towards such enzymes

57 CIMA

Prof. Graham Russell, PhD, DM, FRCP, FRCPath. FMedSci, FRS Professor of Musculoskeletal Pharmacology, and Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford,; Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding the causes of bone and joint diseases and the pharmacology of drugs to improve their treatment

Graham Russell graduated in Biochemistry from the University Graham was Heberden Orator of the BSR in 1993, recipient of of Cambridge in 1962 and gained his PhD from the MRC the John B. Johnson award of the Paget’s Foundation in 1997, Mineral Metabolism Unit at the University of Leeds. In 1965, he and the Kohn award of the NOS in 2000. He received the W joined Dr Herbert Fleisch in Davos, Switzerland, and their work F Neuman award of the American Society of Bone and Mineral led to the discovery of the biological effects of bisphosphonates. Research in 2000, the Pieter Gaillard Founders award of the He completed his medical degree at Oxford University in 1971, IBMS in 2007 and in 2008 was elected a Fellow of the Royal while continuing research based at the Nuffield Department Society of London. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Working with Roger Smith, this led to the first and successful clinical applications of bisphosphonates Graham is author of more than 500 publications on topics in Paget’s disease of bone. He held the Medical Research related to calcium metabolism and bone diseases. His interests Fellowship at St Peter’s College from 1972-76, and was include bone cell biology, cytokines, pathogenic mechanisms awarded his DM at Oxford in 1976. During the 1970s, he also in bone and joint diseases such as arthritis, myeloma, bone held appointments in the University of Berne, Harvard University metastases, and osteoporosis, and the evaluation of new and at the Massachusetts General Hospital, before moving in therapeutic agents and their modes of action. Throughout he has 1976 to the Department of Chemical Pathology in the University played a central role in studying bisphosphonates, and in their of Sheffield Medical School. He became Professor and Head of clinical development and evaluation for the treatment of skeletal Department of Human Metabolism and Clinical Biochemistry diseases. During the 1990s, Michael Rogers and others within in 1977. In 2001 he moved to the University of Oxford as the his group in Sheffield elucidated the molecular mechanisms Norman Collisson Chair of Musculoskeletal Sciences, became of action of bisphosphonates. His current research focuses on Head of the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the understanding their structure activity relationships, the design of first Director of the Oxford University Institute of Musculoskeletal novel compounds, and the detailed mechanisms of their actions Sciences (the Botnar Research Centre), from 2002-7. on the skeleton and other systems. After “retirement” he became Professor of Musculoskeletal Pharmacology and works at the Botnar Research Centre and 58 the Mellanby Centre in Sheffield. The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Prof. Tim Skerry, BVet.Med, PhD, Cert.SAO, FRCVS Professor of Orthopaedic Biology, University of Sheffield [email protected] Regulation of the skeleton by humoral and mechanical factors in health, disease and ageing

Section showing new bone formation shown by incorporation of fluorescence

Fossil tibia of an iguanodon (c. 150M years old)

Professor Tim Skerry graduated from the Royal Veterinary similar studies led to a focus on the role of receptor activity College in London in 1980 and worked for 4 years in clinical modifying proteins in cell signalling and the exciting discovery practice. In 1984 he was awarded a Wellcome Veterinary that receptor activity modifying protein can alter the G-protein Training Fellowship, studied for a PhD with Lance Lanyon and activation responses of a single receptor to a single hormone. was a visiting worker at the Kennedy Institute after which he took up a lectureship at the University of Bristol. In 1992 he This work is now leading to translational studies in bone was awarded a Wellcome Research Leave Fellowship and in and cancer where blockade of RAMPs may have therapeutic 1995 was appointed as Professor of Biology at the University benefits. Tim is still interested in the interactions of loading/ of York in 1995. In 2001 he was recruited to the Royal exercise and other osteotropic stimuli in order to identify Veterinary College as Head of Basic Sciences and in 2003, simple lifestyle interventions to increase bone mass in youth or was promoted to the position of Vice Principal for Research. preserve it in older people. In 2005, Tim relocated to his current position in Sheffield where as well as his academic position, he is now Chief Tim’s research is funded by BBSRC, EPSRC and commercial Scientific Officer of Medella Therapeutics, a University spinout collaborators. company with IP in cancer therapeutics.

Tim’s primary research interest in bone biology has been the mechanism of bone’s response of bone to mechanical loading and the identification of therapeutic targets for anabolic bone therapies. Tim has been involved in the use of arrays and other subtractive techniques to identify potential mediators of the effects of loading in bone and as a result of this identified glutamate as a signalling molecule in bone. More recently,

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Dr Falko F Sniehotta, Dipl-Psych, PhD Reader in Health Psychology, Head of Health Psychology Group in the Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding behaviour change in patients and health professionals and developing interventions to improve health

Dr Sniehotta completed his PhD in Psychology (2004) at the Research Collaboration Centre of Excellence for Translation Free University in Berlin. After six years as Lecturer (2004- Research in Public Health, which has recently become one of 2008) and Senior Lecturer (2008-2010) at the University of the first provisional members of the NIHR School for Public Aberdeen, he joined Newcastle University in 2010 as Reader Health Research in the North East. Dr Sniehotta’s research is in Health Psychology. committed to evidence-based public health science, knowledge translation and public involvement and dissemination. Dr Sniehotta’s research aims to understand the health-related behaviour of health professionals (e.g., provision of evidence Dr Sniehotta is president-elect of the European Health based care, implementation of guidelines), patients (e.g., Psychology Society and associate editor of Health Psychology adherence) and healthy individuals (e.g., lifestyle behaviours) Review. His research is funded by the Medical Research across the lifespan. This work involves the development and Council and the National Institute of Health Research. application of psychological theory. His theoretical work focuses on how people translate health-conducive intentions into sustained behaviour change, inspired by compelling evidence showing that knowledge and motivation alone are not enough to achieve widespread reduction of behavioural risk factors. His applied work focuses on the development and evaluation of complex interventions following MRC guidance for a range of behaviours and populations across the life- course. This work is interdisciplinary in nature, informed by evidence, theory and user involvement. Dr Sniehotta is a senior investigator in Fuse, the Newcastle-based UK Clinical

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Dr Simon Tew, BSc, PhD Lecturer in Orthopaedic Sciences, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding gene regulation in age related joint disorders

Dr Tew graduated in 1996 with a BSc in Biochemistry from In 2011 Dr Tew was appointed Deputy Director of the MRes Cardiff University. Remaining in Cardiff he went on to obtain a in Clinical Sciences and has recently been involved PhD, working in the Department of Anatomy on the responses in implementing a number of developments to the course, of articular cartilage to injury. He subsequently moved to the which include the introduction of a musculoskeletal biology- University of Manchester where he spent seven years as a specific pathway. post-doctoral research fellow at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research. During this time he maintained his interest in the biology of cartilage tissues, through a series of projects supported by the cross research council funded UK Centre for Tissue Engineering. He was appointed Lecturer in Orthopaedic Sciences at the University of Liverpool in 2010.

Simon’s main research focuses on the mechanisms that control gene expression in tissues within the diarthrodial joint, with particular emphasis on processes relevant to age-related degenerative diseases and to strategies which improve the regeneration of joint tissues. He supervises a range of projects, examples of which include investigations of post-transcriptional gene control in osteoarthritis and the employment of systems- based approaches to examine in vitro adaptation of cartilage and tendon cells. Arthritis Research UK, BBSRC, MRC and industrial partners have funded recent projects.

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Prof. Wendy Tindale, MSc, PhD, FIPEM, ARCP Professor of Medical Physics, University of Sheffield and Scientific Director of Medical Imaging & Medical Physics, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [email protected] Developing technologies for an ageing population

Professor Wendy Tindale trained as a medical physicist at the Professor Tindale has over 120 publications, from imaging to Universities of Leeds and Sheffield. During her career she has bioengineering, and since 2006 she has received grant funding gained experience in imaging and image processing, software of £4.5M. She is currently supporting the development of design and modelling, physiological measurement and medical an NHS-based 3D Clinical Imaging Laboratory, for improved device development. She was appointed Scientific Director clinical decision making. She has contributed to national and of Medical Imaging & Medical Physics at Sheffield Teaching international committees, including Royal College Working Hospitals in 2005 and, as Consultant Clinical Scientist, she Parties and Government advisory bodies and acts as advisor leads one of the largest NHS centres of medical technology to several research programmes. She is an editorial board in the UK. She holds a Chair at the University of Sheffield member of an international journal and is external examiner and has a national role as Clinical Director of the ‘Devices for for the University of London (Kings College). In 2011 she was Dignity’ Healthcare Technology Co-operative, an NIHR/TSB/ honoured with a Beacon Award for outstanding contribution research council funded national research and technology to healthcare. transfer programme. Its focus is on identification of unmet clinical needs and development of technology solutions which enable independent living; assistive technologies which support the ageing population is part of its remit. She has an interest in combining clinical academic excellence with business opportunities through commercial translation of innovative medical technologies and has worked with both public and private sectors to facilitate successful collaborations.

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Dr Michael Trenell, BSc, MSc, PhD NIHR Senior Research Fellow, Director of MoveLab, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the role of physical activity, physical inactivity and exercise in ageing and age related diseases

Dr Trenell completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees Newcastle. The laboratory provides a complete translational in applied science in Leeds in 1997 and 1999. Dr Trenell research platform; building both the evidence base of was then awarded an overseas scholarship from Sydney movement as a clinical therapy and a pathway for delivery University, Australia, to complete a PhD in Biochemistry into care. At a basic science level, he has a program of and Neurogenetics on the role of exercise as a therapy in studies investigating the interaction of physical inactivity, neuromuscular disease. He completed research internships physical activity, and exercise upon molecular, genetic and in respiratory medicine at the Woolcock Medical Research metabolic function. At an intermediate level, he is addressing Institute and metabolic disease at the Garvan Institute. He two key questions: what type of activity is best and how then returned to the UK and to Newcastle University where he much is needed to use physical activity and exercise as a was awarded the RD Lawrence postdoctoral fellowship from therapy? These studies are identifying the dose response of Diabetes UK. He was appointed a Senior Research Fellowship both resistance and aerobic exercise upon clinical outcomes. from the NIHR in 2011 and is Director of MoveLab, one of the At a clinical delivery level, he is working with clinicians and UK’s leading clinical physical activity and exercise laboratories. patient groups to move these findings into clinical care. He is developing the UK’s first accredited professional and patient Mike’s research looks at how metabolism can be improved in development pathway for physical activity and exercise for use different metabolic disorders. The focus is on how physical as a clinical therapy in primary care. activity and exercise can be used as clinical therapy in metabolic disorders, neuromuscular disease, ageing, and in promoting Dr Trenell’s research is funded by the Medical Research lifelong health and wellbeing. Mike has a strong background Council, the National Institute for Health Research, the NHS, in multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging Research Councils UK, European Union FP7, Diabetes UK and techniques and use these to investigate metabolism. pharmaceutical industry.

In January 2009 he established MoveLab with funding from the Medical Research Council with clinical colleagues in 63 CIMA

Prof. Doug Turnbull, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCP, FMedSci Professor of Neurology and Director of Newcastle University Centre for Brain Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University [email protected] Mitochondrial disease

Dr Turnbull qualified in medicine in 1976 and completed He also has a major interest in the ageing process with a his MRCP in June 1978. He was awarded an MRC Clinical particular emphasis on the effects on neurons and muscle. Training Fellowship from 1980 to 1983 and a Lectureship He successfully led a bid for a Centre for Lifelong Health and in Experimental Neurology from 1983 to 1988 at Newcastle Wellbeing (funded by BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC and MRC). He is University. He became Senior Lecturer in Experimental currently Director of this Centre – Newcastle University Centre Neurology in 1988 in the same University and Professor for Brain Ageing and Vitality. of Neurology in 1990. He is a passionate believer in the training of young clinicians He developed his interest in mitochondrial oxidative and scientists and has supervised 35 clinical and basic PhD phosphorylation disorders during his PhD and initially was students. He currently sponsors two Wellcome Trust Senior interested in establishing a clinical, biochemical and genetic Fellows, one Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow diagnosis in patients. His more recent studies of mitochondrial and one Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellow. disorders have been based on developing large cohorts of patients (currently funded by MRC as part of the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular diseases), understanding disease mechanisms, and developing methods to prevent transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease. He also led a successful effort to establish the NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders of Adults and Children, which has additional centres in London and Oxford. This service provides specialist diagnostic testing and multidisciplinary care for our patients throughout the UK and has made a tremendous difference to the lives of patients and families 64 with mitochondrial disease. The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki, BSc, PhD Research into Ageing Fellow, University of Liverpool [email protected] Understanding the causes of failed muscle regeneration during ageing and developing new approaches to treatment

Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Molecular In 2006, Aphrodite was elected to the Executive committee of Biology from Liverpool John Moores University in 1999 and the British Society for Research on Ageing and served as the completed a PhD in the Department of Medicine and School treasurer of the Society. of Biological Sciences at the University of Liverpool in 2003. The aim of her PhD study was to characterise the extent and In 2009, Aphrodite was awarded a Personal Research time course of production of antioxidant defence enzymes and Fellowship funded by Research into Ageing. The overall aim of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in adult and aged skeletal muscle this work is to determine whether the defective skeletal muscle following non-damaging isometric contractions and to examine regeneration that occurs during ageing is mediated through the mechanisms responsible for the attenuation of the stress abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) activities in motor response in skeletal muscle during ageing. The completion of neurons and/or muscle cells which result in defective re-growth her PhD project led to a poster presentation at the Biochemical and interactions of motor neurons with immature regenerating Society meeting in London where she was awarded first prize. muscle fibres. Her work involves in vitro studies to determine In the same year, Aphrodite presented her PhD work at the (i) the generation of specific ROS at defined sub-cellular sites Annual British Society for Research on Ageing Conference in in muscle cells and motor neurons during the normal process London where she won a prize for best oral presentation. of myogenesis and (ii) the effects of modification of ROS generation in neurons or muscle on skeletal muscle regeneration Aphrodite undertook a five year postdoctoral position at the and innervation. Her work also involves in vivo studies to School of Clinical Sciences in the University of Liverpool identify the recovery of motor neuron occurring in young mice investigating extracellular ROS generation in adult and old following a physiologically relevant form of skeletal muscle muscles from mice with deficient or enhanced antioxidant damage and the extent of failure in muscles of old mice. systems. This grant was funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and involved a collaboration between the University of Liverpool, University of Michigan, University of Texas and Emory University in the USA. 65 CIMA

Marco Viceconti Professor of Biomechanics at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield and Scientific Director of the Insigneo/Sheffield Research Institute [email protected] Development and validation of medical technology, primarily in relation to musculoskeletal diseases

Marco Viceconti is Scientific Director of the Insigneo Institute VPH Network of Excellence, Co-ordinator of one the VPHOP for in silico Medicine and full Professor of Biomechanics at integrated project, he is also currently chairing the Board of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Directors of the VPH Institute. Sheffield. Before he was the Technical Director of the Medical Technology Lab at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, Italy. Prof. Viceconti has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Bologna and a PhD from the University of Firenze. He started his research career under the guidance of Prof. Alì Seireg, first at the University of Florida-Gainesville, and then at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently President of the European Alliance of Biomedical Engineering (EAMBES). His main research interests are related to the development and validation of medical technology, especially that involving simulation, and primarily in relation to musculoskeletal diseases. He has published over 200 papers, mostly indexed in Medline, and serves as reviewer for many international funding agencies and peer-reviewed journals. Marco Viceconti is one of the key figures in the emerging Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) community. Co-author of the first white paper on VPH, scientific co-ordinator of the seminal VPH research roadmap, “VPH ambassador” for the

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Prof. John Wilding, DM FRCP Professor of Medicine, Head of Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, University of Liverpool & Honorary Consultant Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [email protected] Understanding obesity and diabetes

John Wilding is Head of the Department of Obesity and such as sleep apnoea and asthma. His work has been funded Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool, UK. He graduated by the British Heart Foundation, Asthma UK, Diabetes UK, in medicine from Southampton University in 1985, where and the pharmaceutical industry. he continued his clinical training until moving to the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital, He has published over a hundred and eighty papers, chapters London where he undertook specialist training in Diabetes and and review articles related to his clinical and laboratory Endocrinology, and three years laboratory-based research into research interests in type 2 diabetes and obesity. He is a the neurobiology of obesity and diabetes. He has been clinical member of the editorial boards of the International Journal academic at the University of Liverpool, with a clinical base at of Obesity, and of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism and an Aintree Hospitals since 1996, initially as Senior Lecturer, then Associate Editor of Diabetic Medicine. He is Chair of the UK Reader and as Professor of Medicine since 2005. National Clinical Research Network Metabolic and Endocrine Speciality Group and a past Chair of the UK Association for His clinical and laboratory research focuses on the the Study of Obesity. pathophysiology of obesity and its complications, especially diabetes, and evaluation of new treatments. This encompasses evaluation of novel therapeutic agents in animal models through to early and late phase clinical trials in humans and detailed physiological studies including measurements of appetite and metabolism including glucose clamp studies to evaluated insulin resistance in muscle and liver, and studies of the metabolic effects of obesity-associated respiratory disease

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Mr Mark Wilkinson, MB ChB, PhD, FRCS (Orth) Clinical Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedics, University of Sheffield; Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [email protected] Understanding the causes of bone diseases associated with prosthetic joints and developing new approaches to their treatment

X-ray of hip joint prosthesis

Mark Wilkinson graduated in Medicine from Sheffield include the identification of novel biomarkers and imaging University in 1991 and trained as an orthopaedic surgeon in techniques for detecting osteolysis, exploration of the molecular North Trent and Wrightington. Whilst a specialist registrar in mechanisms that underpin its development and novel orthopaedics he received Clinical Research Fellowship awards pharmacological strategies for its treatment, and the systemic from the Arthritis Research Campaign and from The Royal health effects of metal ion exposure after hip resurfacing. College of Surgeons of England and completed his PhD in 2001. Following a period in clinical practice he returned to Mark has received young investigator awards from the Sheffield University upon receipt of a 5-year Clinical Senior Orthopaedic Research Society (2002 USA) and the National Lectureship Award from HEFCE/UKCRC in 2007. Mark is Osteoporosis Society (2000), The British Orthopaedic also an honorary consultant in Orthopaedics with a specialist Association Robert Jones Gold Medal and Association Prize interest in hip and knee arthroplasty at the Northern General (2003), The British Hip Society McKee Prize (2001, and Hospital, Sheffield. 2008) and the William Harris Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society (2007). He has co-authored more than 50 Mark’s principal research interests are in the field of joint papers, and is a member of the Research Committee of the replacement and its associated bone diseases from a genetic British Orthopaedic Association Arthritis Research UK, and and metabolic standpoint. His previous work has shown that is Orthopaedic Editor for the journal Surgery. His sources of genetic polymorphism influences osteolysis and heterotopic research funding include HEFCE, Arthritis Research UK, the ossification risk after hip replacement, and the first ‘in-man’ Cavendish Hip Foundation, and industry. study to show that bisphosphonates may suppress bone loss after hip replacement. He is a member of the arcOGEN consortium that has recently identified 9 novel risk alleles for hip and knee osteoarthritis. His other areas of active research

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Dr Liz Williams, BSc, PhD, RNutr Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition, Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding the role of nutrition in healthy ageing

Dr Williams graduated with a BSc in Physiology from the Liz has been working with a multidisciplinary team to develop University of Sheffield in 1992, and completed her PhD in the a sensitively designed technology to improve assessment of Department of Paediatrics in 1996. She spent three years as nutrition, physical function, cognitive function and mental a postdoctoral researcher at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit in health in older adults, including measures commonly used to Cambridge prior to appointment as a lecturer in the Human define a physically frail phenotype. Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle in 1999. In 2003 she returned to Sheffield as a lecturer in Liz’s research is funded by the ESRC-led cross Research Human Nutrition and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2010. Council, New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, the UK Technology Strategy Board and by the former UK Food Liz’s research focus is the role of diet in healthy ageing and Standards Agency. diet in the prevention of chronic disease. She has particular interests in gastrointestinal health, immune function in older adults, and dietary assessment in older adults. Her long- standing research interest in diet and intestinal health has included work in collaboration with Professors Powers and Mathers on the ageing bowel, and has had a particular focus on colorectal cancer. This research has included investigation of proteomic and methylation biomarkers of colorectal cancer, and the role of butyrate and folate on colorectal carcinogenesis. She has considerable experience of designing and conducting randomised-controlled dietary/micronutrient intervention trials, including a number of studies with older adults. More recently

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Prof. Steve Winder, BSc, PhD Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, Deputy Head of Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield [email protected] Cell and molecular mechanisms of muscular dystrophies

Professor Winder graduated with a BSc in Applied Biology cell adhesion molecule and demonstrated the importance of from Brunel University in 1984 and completed a PhD tyrosine phosphorylation in regulating dystroglycan function at the University of Reading in 1988. Professor Winder and degradation in myoblasts and myotubes in culture. We undertook post-doctoral training in the Department of Medical have generated knock-in mice carrying mutations in tyrosine Biochemistry at the University of Calgary, Canada and in the phosphorylation sites in dystroglycan and crossed these mice MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. Awarded with an established mouse model of muscular dystrophy – the a four-year Welcome Trust Fellowship in 1995 Professor mdx mouse. Dystroglycan knock-in:mdx mice show a reduced Winder relocated to the University of Edinburgh, Institute muscular dystrophy phenotype, demonstrating the importance of Cell and Molecular Biology. Following a move to the of tyrosine phosphorylation of dystroglycan in the aetiology Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The identification University of Glasgow he was promoted to Reader and then of signalling pathways involved in DMD has provided new in 2003 moved to the Department of Biomedical Science at therapeutic targets for the treatment of DMD for which we the University of Sheffield. He was promoted to Professor of are currently screening to identify new combinatorial therapies Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Sheffield in 2005 using zebrafish. The combination of molecular cell biology and since 2006 has also been Deputy Head of the with zebrafish and mouse models of disease provides a Department of Biomedical Science. powerful approach to examine the roles of cell adhesion- mediated signalling and the contribution of the dystrophin Steve’s principal research interest is in understanding the glycoprotein complex in muscle integrity both in normal cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for muscular and dystrophic muscle. dystrophies, particularly those associated with the dystrophin glycoprotein complex of which dystroglycan is an essential Professor Winder’s research is funded by the Medical Research core component. We are using classical cell biological Council, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, Association Française approaches to dissect the functions of dystroglycan as a contres les Myopathies and Yorkshire Cancer Research. 70 The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

Dr Lang Yang, BSc, MSc, PhD, CSci, MIPEM Lecturer in Biomechanics, University of Sheffield [email protected] Understanding the biomechanics of healthy and diseased bone and how treatment affects it

Dr. Yang graduated from the Chongqing University, China Dr. Yang is a charted scientist through the Institute of Physics with a BSc in Applied Mechanics in 1982 and MSc in and Engineering in Medicine and a member of the American Biomechanics in 1985. He obtained PhD in Bioengineering Society for Bone and Mineral Research and European Calcified at the University of Strathclyde in 1988 and completed Tissue Society. postdoctoral trainings at the University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee and University of Strathclyde. In 1996 Dr. Yang Dr. Yang’s research is funded by the MRC, NIHR and Arthritis was appointed as non-clinical lecturer at the University Research UK. of Sheffield.

Dr. Yang’s current research interests are quantifying the effects of osteoporosis and its treatment on bone geometry, bone tissue distribution and structure, and bone mechanical strength, with particular focus on the proximal femur and vertebra. Development of image processing and analysis methods for medical images is an essential part of his research, so does the structural engineering models generated from medical images. This has resulted in two streamlined analysis software, one for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and another for quantitative computer tomography of the hip. He also interested in understanding how whole body vibration transmits in the body and how mechanical environment at fracture site modulates biological processes of fracture healing.

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Dr David A Young, BSc, PhD David Young, Senior Lecturer, Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University [email protected] Cartilage Cell Biology, Osteoarthritis and Ageing

Dr Young graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry from University ageing, OA and in development (chondrogenesis). His group of Sheffield in 1992 and completed a PhD at the world use in vivo and ex vivo models of cartilage destruction to famous plant institute, the John Innes Centre, Norwich working replicate events occurring during OA. on plant mitochondrial transcription. Dr Young undertook post-doctoral training in the Wellcome-Trust Centre for Cell Dr Young’s research is funded by Arthritis Research UK, Matrix Research at the University of Manchester working with JGW Patterson Foundation and the Nuffield Foundation. Professors Gillian Wallis, Ray Boot-Handford and Michael Grant funded by the then arthritis research campaign working on chondrocyte gene expression and gene regulation. This was followed by several years of post-doctoral work with Professor Ian Clark, University of East Anglia. Dr Young joined Newcastle University in 2004 as a Lecturer and was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2010. In 2009 Dr Young was appointed Deputy Programme Director (projects), overseeing the placement and progression of around 130 MRes students/annum.

David’s research focus is around cartilage cell biology and the role of the sole cell type in cartilage, the chondrocyte in osteoarthritis (OA) and cartilage ageing. David’s expertise is in the area of cell signalling and gene regulation. Much of his work is focussed upon epigenetic changes in chondrocytes in

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Prof. Thomas von Zglinicki, PhD, Dr nat.habil Professor of Cell Gerontology, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University [email protected] Understanding the mechanisms of cell senescence and its impact on mammalian ageing

Professor von Zglinicki graduated with a Diploma in Physics beyond the proliferation arrest. His group discovered clear from Leipzig University in Germany in 1973 and completed evidence for the existence of such a phenotype as part of a PhD in Biophysics at the same University in 1975. He the ageing process in postmitotic cells including neurons undertook post-doctoral training in the Institute of Pathology and muscle cells, which may lead to novel approaches in at the Humboldt University in Berlin and received a Dr nat. understanding muscular ageing. habil. in Biophysics and Medical Physics there in 1987. In 2000, he relocated to Newcastle as Senior Lecturer to become Thomas is or was Editorial Board member on five of the most a founding member of the basic biology branch of the Institute influential journals in the Ageing Biology field. He chaired for Ageing and Health. He was appointed Professor of Cell the 2004 Gordon Research Conference on Biology of Ageing Gerontology at Newcastle University in 2002. and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Ageing of the Mayo Clinic (USA) Thomas’ principal research interest is in understanding and other ageing research institutions. He has authored or the cellular and molecular signaling networks causing and co-authored over 160 papers on cell and molecular biology of maintaining cell senescence, and how these contribute to ageing, some of which have been cited well over 400 times, ageing at the level of tissues and organisms. He was the first to resulting in an h-index of 40. discover oxidative stress and resulting DNA damage as a major cause of telomere shortening, and the interactions between Thomas collaborates with major international groups, for mitochondrial dysfunction and telomeres in senescence have instance in Germany (Ulm University), USA (Mayo Clinic) and been a focus of his work for many years. His recent work, the UK (Cambridge University). His work is funded by BBSRC, combining classic reductionist biology with a systems biology MRC, Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation. approach, concentrates on the mechanistic understanding of the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory senescent phenotype

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Contact details Professor Malcolm J. Jackson PhD DSc FRCPath Head, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease Faculty of Health & Life Sciences University of Liverpool Duncan Building Daulby Street Liverpool L69 3GA T: +44 151 706 4072 F: +44 151 706 5802 E: [email protected]

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Notes

76 Photograph by Lindsay Mackenzie (2nd Runner Up - Newcastle University Student Competition) The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

The Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing www.cimauk.org