£10 million puts Wales at the forefront of arthritis research
A major new research centre is bringing together world-leading experts to tackle arthritis and develop new treatments for the millions of people suffering from the condition.
The Arthritis Research Campaign has awarded Cardiff University £2.5 million over 5 years to establish a national centre of excellence in Biomechanics and Bioengineering. Further funding from the University of £7.5 million will drive forward the centre’s research over the next decade.
The new Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre will bring together internationally recognised experts in a number of different research fields in an ambitious bid to apply engineering solutions and basic science to problems caused by arthritis.
Close collaboration between engineers, biomedical scientists and medics such as orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and physiotherapists will lead to a rapid translation of research to patient benefit in the clinic.
The director of the new centre, Professor Vic Duance, said: "Pain is currently the major determinant of joint replacement surgery and an exciting new aspect of this research is to examine how inflammation and pain interact with joint pressure to cause osteoarthritis. This new knowledge will be used to devise and develop improved treatments such as better drugs and physical therapies.
"Although the aim is to offer new treatments to delay the requirement for joint replacement surgery, in the short term the team also hope to improve the lifespan and quality of existing joint replacements by developing new coatings and materials."
