Annual Review 2011: Research challenge 4 - Investigating development, ageing and chronic disease

We aim to develop an integrated understanding of how the body develops, functions and ages, and of the factors that contribute to the onset and development of chronic disease.

The Wellcome Trust has supported research into two combined 'polypills' intended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease without the need for people at risk to take multiple medications. Our ‘Annual Review’ also reports the extension of the Children of the 90s study, now 20 years old, research into the genetic causes of ageing and blood pressure genes, and a landmark larynx transplant for a woman who had not been able to speak for 11 years.

Further resources

Here are links to information relating to each of this year's 'Annual Review' stories in research challenge 4:

Polypill trials (page 33)

20 years of the Children of the 90s (page 34)

Looking for the causes of ageing (page 35)

Blood pressure genes (page 35)

Larynx transplant (page 35)

Image: Combined 'polypills' are being tested for their effectiveness against heart disease. Credit: ImageZoo Illustration/Veer