Ageing exhibition reveals scientists' plans for lifelong health

The UK population is rapidly getting older: a predicted 1 in 4 people will be over the age of 65 by 2031. Ensuring that an increasingly ageing population stays healthy and mobile is a challenge for both the Government and the scientific research community.

An exhibition, 'Lifelong Health: The Bioscience of Ageing', organised by the publically-funded Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) on behalf of Research Councils UK (RCUK), will be launched today in Westminster (Monday 12 November).

The exhibition will describe how UK scientists are working together to overcome key challenges presented by an ageing population. Both the exhibition and accompanying talks will discuss how people can stay healthy and mobile for longer. They will also explore causes, prevention and treatment of age-related illnesses including Alzheimer's, osteoporosis and visual impairment.

Speakers at the launch event include Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, host Lord Sutherland, Chair of the House of Lords committee on scientific aspects of ageing and Research Council-funded scientists.

Ian Pearson, speaking ahead of the event said "Research into ageing is a high priority on the Government's agenda with lifelong health and wellbeing one of the long-term policy challenges. Scientific advances mean that life expectancy is now twice what it was 100 years ago. An ageing population presents new challenges for society, which we need to tackle.

"This Bioscience of Ageing exhibition will help spread the message across Britain that research into ageing is a priority and that the Government, through our Research Councils, is funding this important work. It demonstrates how the UK is getting a return on its public investment in science which is looking for answers to debilitating age-related conditions."

Steve Visscher, interim Chief Executive of BBSRC, said "The basic bioscience conducted by BBSRC-funded researchers is essential to underpin our understanding of the human body and how it changes throughout the course of our lives so we can understand how to stay healthier for longer."

Members of the public will also have the chance to view the exhibit when it visits the Centre for Life in Newcastle from 15 November until February 2008. It will be on display at the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the Cheltenham Science Festival in 2008.

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk