EuroAgeNet: European Partnerships in Ageing Science

This application led by 'ECMage' is a joint application from 5 of the UK Ageing Networks; ECMage (Extracellular Matrix (ECM) ageing across the life course interdisciplinary research network), CFIN (Cognitive Frailty Interdisciplinary Network), Food4Years (Food for-added-life-years: putting research into action), BLAST (Building Links in Ageing Science and Translation) and AGENTS (Ageing and Nutrient Sensing Network).

The proposal aims to create a network of researchers, Institutions and Research Centres across Europe (EuroAgeNet) to catalyse and develop ageing research ideas, projects, research findings and positive outcomes for the ageing population. Collaborative ventures within the network will be supported with bilateral scoping visits for staff to and from the UK, subsequently followed by targeted exchange visits for skills training, and training events or workshops.

To bring together researchers across Europe with UK researchers, the network will run events to enable researchers to talk in depth about their research interests, and enhance understanding of areas of complementary research. Such activities are designed to create cross-disciplinary insights into key aspects of the ageing process, to prime researchers to respond to opportunities for targeted research funding and to translate their knowledge into real-life benefits for the ageing population.

The UK-European ageing research network (EuroAgeNet) has been developed by 5 of the UK Ageing research Networks: ECMage (Extracellular Matrix (ECM) ageing across the life course interdisciplinary research network), CFIN (Cognitive Frailty Interdisciplinary Network), Food4Years (Food for-added-life-years: putting research into action), BLAST (Building Links in Ageing Science and Translation) and AGENTS (Ageing and Nutrient Sensing Network).

Using our collective expertise and wide-ranging connections in the ageing research space across Europe we have created a pan-European consortium of partners across 12 European countries and 20 institutions with research interests ranging from the basic mechanisms of cellular and extracellular ageing, food & nutrition, cognitive frailty and technological model development.

Leveraging scoping visits, research exchanges, training activities and events will enable the development and strengthening of collaborations across the network. Activities will be inclusive, enabling participation of a diverse set of researchers and will be designed to increase the quality and scope and responsiveness of ageing research within Europe and linked to the UK.

The scientific aims of the partnership span the remit of each partnering UK Ageing network, encompassing matrix biology/ bioengineering/materials, cognitive frailty, food and nutrition, the mechanistic drivers of ageing and routes to translation. Scientific areas of focus include assessment and targeting of extracellular matrix alterations during ageing, harnessing the potential of extracellular vesicles and considering the validity of in vitro and in vivo models of ageing. Collaborations will further focus on interplay between nutritional factors at cellular, organismal and food systems levels during ageing, improving understanding and targeting methods for the conjunction of physical frailty with cognitive impairment without dementia, and mechanistic targeting of neurodegeneration.