THE University of Queensland has launched a new $7 million regenerative medicine research centre to improve the quality of life of older Australians and increase their participation and productivity.
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The UQ Centre in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering (UQ-StemCARE) at UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology was opened by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
"We all know that as we age our bodies tire and gradually lose their ability to heal themselves," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"This incredible research will study how to optimise our body's innate regenerative abilities so that they are extended, enabling the elderly to enjoy a more active, better quality of life for longer.
"We are delighted that this research will employ more scientists and train new PhD students, enabling a critical mass of expertise that will help the Queensland economy transition to a knowledge-based smart economy."
AIBN Director Professor Alan Rowan said the centre would aim to understand and eventually reverse the decline of stem cell function during ageing, and would work to find clinical solutions.
"The population is getting older, and the decrease in productivity coupled with increasing health costs will be a significant societal problem if solutions are not found.
"By studying how stem cells can maintain functional tissue as we age, we can combat many of the ailments currently afflicting society," Professor Rowan said.
The centre will study how stem cells impact on age-related musculoskeletal conditions such as muscle wasting, osteoporosis and osteo-arthritis; vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis; and neural diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show 53 per cent of Australians aged over 65 years reported a form of disability in 2012.
Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections predict that there will be 9.6 million Australians aged 65 years-plus, and 1.9 million people aged 85-plus by 2064.
This compares to current figures of about 3.5 million Australians aged over 65, and about 500,000 aged over 85.
