Exciting times for Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease

More than 100 scientists attended the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease's (IACD) Annual Away Day, reflecting an impressive period of growth. The event, which brought staff and students together from IACD's three major research groups, came hot on the heels of the announcement of major funding for the UK's first Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing. Held in the University's Foresight Centre, the day began with an introduction from IACD Head of Institute, Professor Malcolm Jackson and Institute manager, Tom West, before Eithne Comerford and Sue Jones delivered an insight into current postgraduate programmes. This was followed by a musculoskeletal research overview from Professor John Innes and rising star, Liz Laird, who talked about her research into age-related fibroses. Professor Simon Harding then delivered an update on developments in Department of Eye and Vision Sciences , introducing Yalin Zheng. The day included breakout sessions to increase collaboration and develop IACD's new Annual Review publication, while a talk on research performance from Deputy Director Professor Peter Clegg and Research Coordinator Diane Ashton allowed for discussion, on subjects such as ensuring effective internal peer review and the early identification of large bids. Professor Anne McArdle spoke of the Institute's "vast expertise in musculoskeletal biology" and the "wide array of technologies" available, before introducing Giorgios Sakellariou, who was handpicked from the post-doctoral programme to explore his current research into the mechanisms by which ageing leads to weakness in the elderly.