Physical decline and tissue regeneration

  • Regenerative medicine and stem cells
  • Skin ageing, tissue repair and wound healing
  • Musculoskeletal

Our researchers in this area include:

Professor Chris Griffiths

Professor Chris Griffiths is a consultant dermatologist and leads the Centre for Dermatology. Chris works with Dr Rachel Watson and others to understand how our skin ages and how it can be repaired. The researchers are using biochemical and microscopical techniques to better understand the changes caused by ageing to the elastic fibre within the skin’s structure. An important research question concerns whether these changes may be dependent on factors such as ethnicity. Other research includes looking at topical retinoids and at the biochemistry of molecules to produce a sunlight fingerprint of the impact the sun has on our skin. The team also conduct studies on anti-ageing products for companies including L'Oréal and Boots.

Professor Cay Kielty

Professor Cay Kielty is a cell-matrix and stem cell biologist working in regenerative medicine. Her research focuses on the repair of tissues impaired by ageing, injury and disease. Cay is an expert in the extracellular matrix, the tissue providing structural support to cells. Cay also focuses on the therapeutic uses of mesenchymal stromal cells, also known as stem cells. She studies how stem cells remodel tissue, and how the extracellular matrix controls the stem cells. Cay is a principal investigator within the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research in Manchester.

Professor Terence O’Neill

Terence O’Neill is Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology and part of Manchester’s Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit. The Unit focuses on understanding the epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis which are prevalent in older adults. Terry’s research explores the epidemiology of osteoporosis and related fractures, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal frailty.

Dr Mat Hardman

Dr Mat Hardman is the Edmund de Rothschild Senior Fellow in Ageing Research and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences. His research focus is the effect of age and hormone deficiency on skin wound repair. Mat leads a highly research active group based in the Manchester Healing Foundation Centre. His recent studies have revealed important new mechanisms underpinning pathological healing in older people. Mat's research combines basic biology with clinical studies and he currently leads a Phase 2 clinical trial of a topical treatment to promote healing in the elderly.