Southampton leads new network to increase research on joints, bones and muscles

Researchers across the UK are uniting to deliver a step change in musculoskeletal research that will help people live well for longer.

The new National Musculoskeletal Network is spearheaded by NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre researchers at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC), University of Southampton.

The network will underpin an increase in ageing research capacity and strategy in the UK. It is funded by the Medical Research Council

Impacting quality of life

Musculoskeletal conditions affect the joints, bones and muscles. They affect one in four adults in the UK and account for 30% of GP consultations in England.

More years are lived with musculoskeletal disability than any other long-term condition.

The MRC National Musculoskeletal Network will identify key research priorities and coordinate an ongoing programme of innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative studies.

These will identify, develop and translate findings from discovery science to clinical impact.

The network is led by Professor Cyrus Cooper and Professor Nicholas Harvey at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC), University of Southampton.

Prof Cooper, MRC LEC Director, said: “The opportunities afforded by this new network provide a unique and exciting infrastructure with which to advance musculoskeletal science, from molecule to population. This will ultimately make a major difference for the health of our patients and populations.”

Building research capacity

The network will support Early Career Researchers to build research capacity. This will maximise the longevity of current investments by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Crucially the network will contribute to delivering the government ‘Grand Challenge’ target of five more years of independent living by 2035, by identifying approaches to maintain mobility in old age.

Prof Harvey, MRC LEC Deputy Director, added: “This new national network will provide a fantastic platform to support the next generation of researchers in this country. This will promote musculoskeletal research as an evolving and growing field, and ensure sustainable expertise in coming decades."

Initial collaboration will unite key MRC units and centres based across the Universities of Southampton, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Leicester, Oxford, Bristol, Cambridge and UCL.