Seedcorn funding

Following a call for applications in October 2021, MICRA was able to support five projects. The successful projects represent a variety of disciplines and approaches, testifying to the breadth of interest in ageing related-research from across the academic community.

The successful applications were:

Experience in Action: An art-science collaboration to explore sensorimotor processing in older adults with autism and Parkinson’s 

Principal investigator:

• Dr Ellen Poliakoff

Older Low Paid Workers in the UK and the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic. (Jointly funded with Centre for Ageing Better)

Principal investigator:

• Dr Kingsley Purdam

How can and do older people challenge offers of social care and support that they perceive to be inadequate or of poor quality?

Principal investigator:

• Dr Philip Drake

Infrastructures of care for and by older people in Sub-Saharan Africa

Principal investigator:

• Deljana Iossifova

Labour Market Outcomes, Mental Health and Aging

Principal investigator:

• Dr Indranil Dutta

Following a call for applications in October 2020, MICRA was able to support six projects. The successful projects represent a variety of disciplines and approaches, testifying to the breadth of interest in ageing related-research from across the academic community.

The successful applications were:

Using photo-elicitation to investigate the experience of informal older carers of people with dementia living in semi-rural community settings during COVID-19 restrictions.

Principal investigators:

• Annie Harrison
• Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno

Is extracellular matrix damage universal across ageing phenotypes?

Principal investigator:

• Dr Alexander Eckersley

Uncertain Futures: Inequalities affecting women over 50 years at work in Manchester

Principal investigator:

• Dr Elaine Dewhurst

Make Movement Your Mission

Principal investigator:

• Dr Lisa McGarrigle

Using virtual reality to better inform elderly patients about their age-related eye disease

Principal investigator:

• Dr Tony Payton

Ageism in the era of Covid-19: exploring stereotypes in the press and/or social media

Principal investigator:

• Francisca Ortiz

Following a call for applications in October 2019, MICRA received 14 applications and were able to support six projects. The successful projects represent a variety of disciplines and approaches, testifying to the breadth of interest in ageing related-research from across the academic community.

The successful applications were:

Pensions and divorce: exploratory analysis of quantitative data

Research proposal: pensions and divorce: exploratory analysis of quantitative data.

Principal investigators:

• Professor Debora Price
• Dr Jennifer Buckley

Socio-cultural participation and wellbeing of older people in China and UK

Research proposal: socio-cultural participation and wellbeing of older people in China and UK.

Principal investigator:

• Dr Nan Zhang

Co-investigators:

• Professor Tarani Chandola
• Professor Arpana Verma
• Mr Greg Williams
• Dr Hua Wei
• Professor Chengchao Zhou

Growing older in Collyhurst, a site of urban regeneration - a co-research project designing age-friendly social housing

Research proposal: growing older in Collyhurst, a site of urban regeneration.

Principal investigator:

• Dr Sophie Yarker

Co-investigators:

• Professor Chris Phillipson
• Miss Niamh Kavanagh
• Dr Mark Hammond
• Dr Camilla Lewis

Trajectory of allostatic load among older Chinese: a life-course approach to biological ageing

Research proposal: trajectory of allostatic load among older Chinese: a life-course approach to biological ageing.

Principal investigator:

• Dr Asri Maharani

Co-investigator:

• Dr Gindo Tampubolon

Does fatigue predictably alter visual attention and memory retrieval efficiencies in older people?

Research proposal: does fatigue predictably alter visual attention and memory retrieval efficiencies in older people?

Principal investigator:

• Dr Oliver Gray

Co-investigators:

• Professor Alison Wearden
• Professor Daniela Montaldi

Analysis of immune cell phenotype and heterogeneity in young versus aged wounds

Research proposal: analysis of immune cell phenotype and heterogeneity in young versus aged wounds.

Principal investigator:

• Dr Kimberly Mace

Co-investigator:

• Dr Matthew Ronshaugen

Following a call for applications in October 2018, MICRA received 12 applications and were able to support six projects. The successful projects represent a variety of disciplines and approaches, testifying to the breadth of interest in ageing related-research from across the academic community.

The six successful applications were:

Feasibility of using an adapted version of the Mental Capacity Assessment Support Toolkit (MCAST) in care home settings

Research proposal: Feasibility of using an adapted version of the Mental Capacity Assessment Support Toolkit (MCAST) in care home settings.

Principle investigators:

• Dr Laura Brown, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Mark Jayes, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Assessment of graphene oxide hydrogel treatment for osteoporotic hip strengthening

Research proposal: Assessment of graphene oxide hydrogel treatment for osteoporotic hip strengthening.

Principle investigator:

• Dr Glen Cooper, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigator:

• Araida Hidalgo-Bastida, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Financial capacity assessments of older adults: developing future research strategies

Research proposal: Financial capacity assessments of older adults: developing future research strategies.

Principal investigator:

• Dr Alex Hall, Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester. 

Co-investigators:

• Professor Nicola Glover-Thomas, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Mark Wilberforce, Social Policy Research Unit, University of York.

Targeted drug delivery to cerebral arteries, using novel peptide-decorated liposomes, for the attenuation of dementia 

Research proposal: Targeted drug delivery to cerebral arteries, using novel peptide-decorated liposomes, for the attenuation of dementia.

Principal investigators:

• Dr Lynda Harris, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, The University of Manchester.
• Dr May Azzawi, School of Healthcare Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Co-investigators:

• Professor Yvonne Alexander, School of Healthcare Science, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Llwyd Orton, School of Healthcare Science, The University of Manchester. 

Developing age-friendly communities in the Northern Gateway urban regeneration project: A co-research approach

Principal investigator: Developing age-friendly communities in the Northern Gateway urban regeneration project: A co-research approach.

• Dr Camilla Lewis, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigators:

• Professor Chris Phillipson, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Sophie Yarker, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Mark Hammond, Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Too old to vote? - Understanding the barriers to voting in late old age 

Principal investigator: Too old to vote? - Understanding the barriers to voting in late old age.

• Dr Kingsley Purdam, Social Statistics, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester. 

Co-investigator:

• Professor Aneez Esmail, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, The University of Manchester. 

Following a call for applications in October 2017, MICRA received 13 applications involving applicants across a number of discipline areas.

After careful deliberation, five projects were awarded funding:

Engaging older people through participatory arts to explore the relevance of Age-friendly Cities' domains in rural communities of NW England

Research proposal: Engaging older people through participatory arts to explore the relevance of Age-friendly Cities' domains in rural communities of NW England.

Principal investigator:

• Annie Harrison, Public Health and artist specialising in participatory art, The University of Manchester. 

Co-investigators:

• Dr Mel Hall, Education and Social Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University.
• Dr Annemarie Money, Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Tony Payton, Public Health, The University of Manchester.

Identifying barriers to return to work for older adults in Manchester: a scoping study

Research proposal: Identifying barriers to return to work for older adults in Manchester: a scoping study.

Principle investigator: 

• Dr Annemarie Money, Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigators:

• Professor Martie Van Tongeren, Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester.
• Professor Tarani Chandola, Medical Sociology, The University of Manchester. 

Aiming a blow against tissue ageing: Targeting the αVβ8 integrin

Research proposal: Aiming a blow against tissue ageing: Targeting the αVβ8 integrin.

Principle investigator:

• Professor Mark Travis, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigators:

• Dr Karen Piper-Hanley, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Paul Mould, Biomolecular Analysis Core Facility, The University of Manchester.
• Dr Tom Jowitt, Biomolecular Analysis Core Facility, The University of Manchester.
• Professor Martin Humphries, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Manchester. 

Establishing a novel murine model of multi-infarct dementia to establish the causality of monomeric C-reactive protein in vascular dementia

Research proposal: Establishing a novel murine model of multi-infarct dementia to establish the causality of monomeric C-reactive protein in vascular dementia.

Principle investigator:

• Patrick Strangward, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigators:

• Professor Stuart Allen, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester.
• Professor Mark Slevin, Forensic Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Multidisciplinary in Silico Ageing Model to develop rotator cuff surgeries and therapies 

Research proposal: Multidisciplinary in Silico Ageing Model to develop rotator cuff surgeries and therapies.

Principle investigator:

• Shelley Rawson, School of Materials, The University of Manchester.

Co-investigators:

• Lee Margetts, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester.
• Philip Withers, School of Materials, The University of Manchester.
• Sarah Cartmell, School of Materials, The University of Manchester. 

The successful projects represent a variety of disciplines and approaches, testifying to the breadth of interest in ageing related-research from across the academic community. 

Physical and social benefits of dance for Parkinson's: An interdisciplinary approach

Research proposal:

• Physical and social benefits of dance for Parkinson's: An interdisciplinary approach

Principle investigator:

• Dr Judith Bek, Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dr Ellen Poliakoff, Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester
• Dr Matthew Sullivan, School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Dr Gaya Ganapathy, Equilibrium Dance and Arts

Regenerating cartilage using biomimetic composites

Research proposal:

• Regenerating cartilage using biomimetic composites

Principle investigator:

• Dr Lucy Bosworth, Research Fellow, Biomaterials, School of Materials, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dr Michelle Oyen, Reader in Bioengineering, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge

Sexuality and intimacy in care homes for older people: co-production of staff training resources to support residents' needs

Research proposal:

• Sexuality and intimacy in care homes for older people: co-production of staff training resources to support residents' needs

Principle investigator:

• Dr Laura Brown, Lecturer in Clinical and Health, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dr Maria Horne, Associate Professor, School of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds
• Dr Christine Brown-Wilson, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland
• Dr Tommy Dickinson, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, King’s College London
• Dr Paul Simpson, Lecturer in Applied Health & Social Care, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University

Exploring dementia health and social care systems and services across the African Caribbean Diaspora

Research proposal:

• Exploring dementia health and social care systems and services across the African Caribbean Diaspora

Principle investigator:

• Reena Lasrado, Qualified social worker & Research Associate, Division of Nursing, Midwifery & social work, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dawn Edge, Senior Lecturer, Division of Psychology & Mental Health, University of Manchester
• Ishtar Govia, Lecturer, Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CaIHR), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica
• Maria Zubair, Research Fellow, The University of Nottingham
• Louise Tanner, Workforce Planning, Development and Training Officer, Manchester City Council
• Polly Kaiser, Consultant Clinical Psychologist - and Clinical lead for Psychological Therapies of Older People, Pennine Care Trust, Manchester
• Veena Lasrado, Nurse Tutor, Regional Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, Ireland.

The impact of ageing on regenerative potential of glial and neuronal compartments in peripheral nerve re-myelination

Research proposal:

• The impact of ageing on regenerative potential of glial and neuronal compartments in peripheral nerve re-myelination

Principle investigator:

• Dr Alessandro Faroni, Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Peripheral Nerve Regeneration group, Blond McIndoe Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dr Adam Reid (AR), Senior Clinical Lecturer Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester
• Dr Victoria Workman (VW), Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Polymers & Peptides group, School of Materials, University of Manchester
• Professor Alberto Saiani (AS), Professor of Molecular Materials, School of Materials, University of Manchester

To what extent do Manchester's shopping centre facilitate wellbeing in later life as sites for social inclusion?

Research proposal:

• To what extent do Manchester's shopping centre facilitate wellbeing in later life as sites for social inclusion?

Principle investigator:

• Anna Goulding, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Elizabeth Evans, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool

What effect does the physical working environment (including welfare facilities) have on health (including MSDs and mental wellbeing) over an extended working life in the logistics and transport sector?

Research proposal:

• What effect does the physical working environment (including welfare facilities) have on health (including MSDs and mental wellbeing) over an extended working life in the logistics and transport sector?

Principle investigator:

• Sheena Johnson, Organisational Psychology, AMBS, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Elinor O’Connor, Organisational Psychology, AMBS, University of Manchester
• Helen Beers, Health and Safety Executive, Social Science / Health Psychology
• Nina Day, Health and Safety Executive, Mechanical Engineering

To explore the ageing South Asian patients' perceptions of biologics/anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies related to rheumatoid arthritis treatment and satisfaction with information received prior to starting therapy

Research proposal:

• To explore the ageing South Asian patients’ perceptions of biologics/anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies related to rheumatoid arthritis treatment and satisfaction with information received prior to starting therapy

Principle investigator:

• Dr Kanta Kumar, Researcher/Lecturer, Nursing, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Professor Ade Adebajo, Professor of Rheumatology, University of Sheffield
• Dr Sabrina Raizada, Consultant Rheumatologist, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton
• Dr Rebecca Stack, Senior Lecturer in psychology, Nottingham Trent University
• Miss Shanali Perera, patient-user

Testing the acceptability and usability of Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) in managing hearing loss in care home residents with dementia

Research proposal:

• Testing the acceptability and usability of Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) in managing hearing loss in care home residents with dementia

Principle investigator:

• Dr Rebecca Millman, Lecturer, Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD)

Co-investigators:

• Dr Piers Dawes, Senior Lecturer, ManCAD
• Dr Iracema Leroi , Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Institute of Brain Behaviour and Mental Health, Manchester Health and Social Care Trust
• Suzanne Parsons, Project Manager, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Julie Everleigh, Alderwood Care Home, Salford, Manchester.

Development of a biosensor for chairside and self-diagnosis of oral candidiasis in the elderly

Research proposal:

• Development of a biosensor for chairside and self-diagnosis of oral candidiasis in the elderly

Principle investigator:

• Dr James Redfern, Post-doctoral Research Associate, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University

Co-investigators:

• Prof Joanna Verran Professor, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Prof Craig Banks, Professor, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Prof Andrew McBain, Professor, Pharmacy, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
• Prof Hugh Devlin Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester

Establishing a model system for monitoring correction of vascular defects in iPSC-derived vascular cells from CADASIL patients

Research proposal:

• Establishing a model system for monitoring correction of vascular defects in iPSC-derived vascular cells from CADASIL patients

Principle investigator:

• Dr Tao Wang, Division of Evolution and Genomic Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester

Co-investigators:

• Dr Martin Baron, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester