A global partnership led by Lancaster University will promote collaborative, multidisciplinary research that aims to alleviate the development of age-related functional declines and thus promote healthy ageing.

Population ageing is a global issue which can be associated with increased prevalence of poor health of older people, implications for family caring for them, and also poses challenges to healthcare, society and economics. Research in ageing currently focuses on many different aspects of ageing from cell to the society but these disciplines often work in isolation.

Following an investment by UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) securing better health, ageing and wellbeing strategic theme, four UK Ageing Research Networks (CFIN, Food4Years, MyAge and BLAST) are forming a partnership with institutes across the South Asia region, including in India and Malaysia, to address this challenge.

The primary aim of this South Asia Global Partnership, led by the Cognitive Frailty Interdisciplinary Network (CFIN) based at Lancaster University, is to promote collaborative, multidisciplinary ageing research that moves along the pathway from basic laboratory studies through to having a real impact on lives. By identifying synergies with ageing networks focusing on nutrition and muscle loss (Food4Years and MyAge) and development of animal models (BLAST), the proposed activities will focus on research that alleviates the development of age-related cognitive frailty and related reduced healthspan and poor quality of life.

Dr Sue Broughton, Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Lancaster University and Deputy Director of CFIN said, “This consortium of ageing research networks in the UK in partnership with international researchers in India and Malaysia is an exciting opportunity to establish a global network that integrates research on ageing in a truly multidisciplinary way. We aim to break down barriers in understanding, identify synergies in research and thus promote the discovery of effective interventions to improve, delay or even prevent the development of cognitive declines in ageing.”

About the UKRI securing better health, ageing and wellbeing strategic theme

Securing better health, ageing and wellbeing is one of five strategic themes outlined in UKRI’s five-year strategy Transforming Tomorrow Together 2022 to 2027. It aims to improve population health, tackle the health inequalities affecting people and communities, and advance interventions that keep us healthier for longer. Visit the UKRI website to find out more about available funding opportunities.