Newcastle University's work wins a Queen's Prize

Nov 19 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE role of Newcastle University as a leading centre for research into ageing was recognised last night by a major award.

The university won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, which are awarded by the Royal Anniversary Trust, honour work of outstanding importance and quality in higher and further education in the UK.

The winners of the Eighth Round of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes were announced last night at a reception at St James’s Palace in London.

Life expectancy in the UK is currently increasing by two or more years each decade – equivalent to an increase of around five hours per day.

Over the past 15 years, the university’s work in the field of ageing research has grown so that it now plays a leading role in regional, national and international efforts to identify and manage the challenges presented by the phenomenon of an ever-ageing population.

"The challenges of ageing range from answering deep scientific questions about why and how we age to the very practical need to identify ways to make the most of our lengthening lives by improving health and well-being right across the life course," said Professor Tom Kirkwood, who directs the University’s Institute for Ageing and Health. "We are thrilled that our work has been recognised in this way and that Newcastle and the North East are leading the way in addressing these challenges."

From its inception in 1994, the principal purpose of the university’s research programme on ageing and health has concentrated on healthy ageing and age-related diseases, making a leading contribution to education, training and research in these fields, and improving the quality of life for older people.

The work has made use of cutting-edge research into the genetic and biological basis of ageing, along with pioneering studies into dementia, nutrition and chromosome damage.