Celebration to thank the volunteers who help unravel the mysteries of ageing

PA 319/09 For the first time in the UK there are now more people aged over 65 than there are under the age of 18. It is projected that by 2033 the number of people aged 85 and over will reach 3.2 million — accounting for five per cent of the total population. To help us enjoy our longevity and lead healthier and more active lives as we age, a band of volunteers aged from 18 to 65 and over have been helping The University of Nottingham unravel some of the mysteries of how and why our muscles deteriorate as we grow old — and more importantly — what we can do to hold back the ravages of time. On Monday December 14 2009 at 6.30pm there will be a party at the School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health in Derby to thank the volunteers for their contribution to what has been discovered so far. With grants totalling £2.3m from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Dunhill Medical Trust and Unilever PLC scientists and doctors in the Schools of Graduate Entry Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are studying ways to keep us strong and active in old age. Their work relies on volunteers who are prepared undergo supervised training sessions and detailed health assessments. Professor Rennie, a Professor in Clinical Physiology, said: "Our volunteers have helped us to get great results — some very surprising, even ground-breaking.