Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA)

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 at the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield funded jointly by the Medical Research Council and Arthritis Research UK.

The Centre of Excellence will aim 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 will investigate new ways of preventing the deterioration of the musculoskeletal tissues that occur as we age to help preserve mobility and independence in older people.

The detailed objectives of CIMA are to:

  • Develop and exploit an integrated research framework for ageing of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Identify how intrinsic mechanisms of ageing contribute to musculoskeletal dysfunction and understand the impact of musculoskeletal ageing on age-related wellbeing.
  • Identify and share optimal techniques and approaches to monitor age-related changes in all musculoskeletal tissues including using systems biology and modelling approaches.
  • Develop and test novel interventions to maintain or enhance bone, cartilage, ligament/tendon and muscle function during ageing and to reduce age-related deterioration of the whole musculoskeletal system.
  • Build capacity by training young researchers and clinicians with multidisciplinary skills in musculoskeletal ageing.
  • Develop a major international reputation for research in this important area.

Contact

Professor Tim Cawston
CIMA Director (Newcastle)
tim.cawston@ncl.ac.uk
Website: Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing

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