From lab to laps: Phd student races to speed up research into ‘overlooked condition’

A Newcastle University researcher's dedication to finding new treatments for a disease that affects millions of people across the UK is to go a step further. This weekend she is taking on the Great North Run to help fund more research into the “overlooked condition” of arthritis.

Sarah Orr, 24, is part of a team of world-leading researchers at Newcastle University working to shed more light on osteoarthritis to help find new treatments.

Sarah, from Consett in County Durham, is fundraising for Versus Arthritis, the UK’s leading charity funder of research into arthritis. Sarah explained: “I challenged myself to do this specifically for Versus Arthritis as arthritis is so often overlooked, and patients are left in debilitating pain as a result. It can be seen as a "normal" part of ageing but it’s not!  More awareness needs to be raised for the patients and to continue to fund research. I also wanted to highlight the vital support and ongoing work carried out by the charity.”

Arthritis comes in many forms and affects more than 1 in 6 people in the UK. It is a leading cause of disability and can affect people of all ages, including children. Symptoms include debilitating pain, fatigue and problems with movement which can lead to a decline in physical and mental health.

Sarah’s research is part of a team led by Dr Sarah Rice within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. Their research, funded by Versus Arthritis, is looking at whether genetic changes known to increase the risk of osteoarthritis are affected by a genetic modification known as DNA methylation, which can turn our genes on and off. The team is investigating whether these changes occur early in life or as we age and whether changes early in life can make people more likely to develop musculoskeletal diseases, like arthritis, in older age.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, said::

“The work of Dr Sarah Rice and her team will shed new light on our knowledge of osteoarthritis which impacts the lives of millions of people across the UK. We’re able to invest in vital research like this thanks to the efforts of people like Sarah who fundraise on our behalf.  We’re hugely thankful to her for taking on the race in addition to her work in the lab! 
“Arthritis affects one in six of us and its research like we’re seeing at Newcastle University that will help us find ways to help people live better with arthritis as we journey towards a cure.

Versus Arthritis is dedicated to funding research to find a cure and supporting people to live well with arthritis until that day arrives. In addition to funding research, it provides free support services to people living with arthritis including a helpline. It also provides free resources and online exercise videos tailored to people living with arthritis. To find out more visit www.versusarthritis.org.