Case studies

In this section we are proud to showcase our success stories at UKSPINE. With our multilateral strategy we are promoting free flow of knowledge in the UK ageing research ecosystem. As shown in these stories we cover a wide-range of topics. There is something relevant for everybody whether you are a researcher, entrepreneur, policy maker or anything in between!

Why not give us feedback on what you think of our projects on Twitter? @UK_SPINE

DNA Genotyping and Sequencing. Technician prepares for a viral whole-genome sequencing experiment

Identifying markers for the multiple diseases of ageing

Multimorbidity is one of the key challenges facing health researchers around the world.

Stuart Gillespie
White and green syringe on white surface

From bench to care home: improving immune resilience in older people

We know that older people have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic – but how many of us know why?

Stuart Gillespie
Photo Of People Doing Handshakes

UK SPINE AIMday

On 25th November, UK SPINE hosted a virtual industry-academia networking day. The event organization was led by the Dundee team in collaboration with colleagues from across the UK SPINE hubs. The event was attended by 10 companies and over 80 academics from a dozen UK universities.

David Bowkett, Charlotte Green, Julie Brady
Anna Shvets - Photo Medication Pills on White Plastic Container

Tackling the diseases of ageing: a new pharmaceutical approach?

Around the world, people are living longer lives. Figures show that global life expectancy increased by five years between 2000 and 2015. In the UK, lifespans were extended by 4.2 years for men and 1.9 years for women between 1990 and 2010.

Stuart Gillespie
Female in lab

UK SPINE Proof of Concept Programme

Health impacts of biological aging impose a significant burden on individuals and on society [1]. Associated with increased frailty [2], age is also the primary risk factor for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration [3].

Monica Spisar
Girl holding white hand skeleton

Targeting age-related multi-morbidities with bisphosphonates

Looking further than just the bones

James Edwards and Helen Knowles
Syringe floating

Baseimmune: from an idea to early stage start-up

The UK SPINE co-sponsored a four day entrepreneurial Summer School in July 2019, open to biomedical scientists, data scientists and technologists from across the UK. The programme was co-hosted by the Francis Crick Institute, the Alan Turing Institute and Entrepreneur First.

Ariane Gomes
Person holding test tubes

Identification of novel epigenetic targets to re-activate exhausted and senescent T-cells

A newly established collaboration between the UK SPINE Hubs Oxford University, Birmingham University and the Drug Discovery Institute in Dundee (DDU) is aiming to identify key epigenetic regulators of T-cell exhaustion and T-cell senescence through the use of epigenetic tool compounds. The…

Annette von Delft
Person holding tablets

Global Access to Medicines Initiative, disrupting the status quo

It has just been announced that 5000 children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to access a potentially life-saving drug for Cystic Fibrosis, following several years of negotiation between the NHS and the drug company, Vertex, to agree on an appropriate price (Scotland is…

Harriet Teare