Ageing and Health
Addressing the national and global challenges associated with an ageing population.
Leading globally in ageing research
We are a global leader in ageing research. We work across the full spectrum of age-related challenges including:
- discovery science
- ground-breaking translational ageing studies
- social and economic aspects
- the built environment
- innovative products and services
- policy
Our history of research and experience in ageing gives us a clear perspective on cradle to grave issues. We have a well-practised ability to take discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic and into the community.
We address the national and global challenges associated with an ageing population. We work through our people, our place and partnerships.
Collaboration for improved ageing
Our NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is one of our partnerships with Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). We have a long history of excellence in translational research. We are one of a small number of university and NHS partnerships to have been awarded NIHR BRC status in every funding round since 2007.
There are 20 BRCs across England. The Newcastle BRC is the only one with a focus on converting lab-based research around ageing and long-term conditions, into practical and meaningful benefits for patients, the public and the health and care system.
Find out more about NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre
We are one of only eight Academic Health Science Centres in the UK. This means we bring the region's world-class research, NHS and city partners together. This centre is key to addressing health and social inequalities.
In 2016 we were the first University to become a partner of the International Longevity Centre, the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society.
Our Future Homes Alliance is developing new housing solutions for our ageing society. 66 homes are being developed at our Newcastle Helix site. The development has been conceived as an example of sustainable urban housing, with flexible living space to suit residents’ changing needs. Homes will feature innovative concepts such as moveable partitions. Rooms and layout can be configured to suit the changing needs of different households.
National Innovation Centre for Ageing
We host the National Innovation Centre for Ageing. The team works with business to seize the economic opportunities of demographic change.
It is also home to VOICE. VOICE is a global community of patients, carers and other citizens.
They share their lived experience to focus research and development on needs and priorities.
Find out more about the National Innovation Centre for Ageing
Major achievements
There are many achievements in Ageing & Health of which we are particularly proud. Some examples include:
- world-leading work developing a pioneering IVF (in vitro fertilisation) technique to protect future generations from the risk of mitochondrial disease
- refining recommendations for the clinical and pathological diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
- our cancer drug discovery and development work that has contributed to two therapeutics now in use:
- Rubraca™ - it is possible to trace the development of this ovarian cancer treatment through our University, from basic biology to its license for use
- Balversa™ - working with Astex Pharmaceuticals we identified a specific gene that this bladder cancer targets
- revolutionising treatment of type 2 diabetes by establishing that people can reverse the condition to the point where they no longer need medication
Spin out companies
Our work in Ageing & Health has led to the development of several “spin out” companies. We are proud to create sustainable companies and high quality jobs in our region. Spin outs include:
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Changing Health – provides digital services for those suffering from, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes
- Alcyomics – a pre-clinical service provider of non-artificial human skin explants for safety and efficacy assessment of novel compounds and drugs
- AMLo Biosciences - dedicated to providing a prognostic test for early melanoma to better identify a patient’s true risk of disease progression
Response to COVID-19
Our National Innovation Centre for Ageing and spin outs are responding to COVID-19.
Our University’s Education for Life strategy is vital. It aims to provide an engaging, challenging and supportive environment for our students. It helps them to discover and fulfil their potential.
Ageing is a topic in our Medical and Biomedical curricula. We combine ageing research and teaching in our undergraduate module “Language and Ageing.” It's led from our School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. The advanced module in sociolinguistics takes a multi-disciplinary approach. It examines patterns of language variation and change in later life.
View our University’s collection of innovative teaching case studies
Our Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) is a £5.5M research facility funded by the Wellcome Trust and Wolfson Foundation. Our primary aim is to facilitate the development of early assessment and intervention strategies targeted at age-associated degenerative conditions. We provide a high quality, patient-friendly environment for phase II-IV clinical studies in the older patient.
Find out more about our Clinical Ageing Research Unit
In 2019 we commenced a 10-year project to develop a 12 hectare site as our Campus for Ageing and Vitality. This ambitious redevelopment of the former General Hospital in the West End of Newcastle is a vision for older people's health.
Several of our Centres of Research Excellence underpin our work in ageing and health including:
- Cancer
- Healthier Lives
- Ageing and Inequalities
- Regulatory Science
- Dr Lynne Corner provides expert advice to the UK Government Department of International Trade
- Professor Dame Louise Robinson is recognised for her services to Primary Care and for improving older people’s quality of life and the care they receive
- Professor Avan Sayer is Director of the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre
- Professor Fiona Matthews is Professor of Epidemiology. She leads Ageing and Geroscience
- Professor Nic Palmarini is Director, National Innovation Centre for Ageing. Watch Professor Nic Palmarini's TEDx Talk
- Professor Rose Gilroy is Professor of Ageing, Policy and Planning. She is the Lead for Future Homes, an alliance looking to develop new homes in which people can live safely, independently for longer
We work with and partner with a range of Trusts, networks and centres, including:
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle City Council, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Academic Health Science Network
- National Innovation Centre for Ageing
- Voice - a community of patients, carers and members of the public. They contribute their experience to focus health research on real unmet needs and priorities
- International Longevity Centre
- Brains for Dementia research partners: Manchester, London, Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff
- Future Homes Alliance includes architects, housing associations, citizen groups
- the Global Ageing Network
