The MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) was formed in 2012 and has developed an integrated approach to studying the effects of ageing on the musculoskeletal system, which has been demonstrably successful.

 We have focused our activities in areas of critical mass where collaborations have provided enhanced value. These include the role of epigenetic changes in cells and tissues affected by musculoskeletal ageing, the development of an assessment protocol for monitoring age-related decline in the musculoskeletal system (the CIMA Toolkit), and proof of principle pre-clinical and human studies to identify interventions that reduce the deleterious effects of ageing on the musculoskeletal system. We have developed an innovative graduate training programme and undertaken well-received public engagement activities.