Arthritis UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics 

Understanding the role of genetic factors in inflammatory arthritis

The Arthritis UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics is based at the University of Manchester. Its research aims to understand the role of genetic factors in determining whether particular people are at risk of developing inflammatory arthritis and what happens when they do.

Arthritis is a complex condition for which susceptibility is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental or lifestyle factors. This centre focuses on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Researchers at this centre, along with international collaborators, have contributed to large genetic studies which have identified many genetic risk factors associated with these conditions. Researchers at this centre now face the considerable challenge of examining these risk regions in more detail to determine how subtle changes in the genetic code influence the disease process.

This centre first opened in 2013 and was renewed for a second term of five years in 2018. The centre completes its ‘Impact’ phase in 2026.

Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre

Arthritis UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Impact Report

For many years, we’ve known that mechanical loading and inflammation contribute to osteoarthritis but the biological processes that link these factors were unknown. The impact of joint injury and joint surgery on our biomechanics and biology, and subtleties in gait or alignment that could contribute to long-term disease, was also unclear. Until now.

Read the report

Other Arthritis UK research centres of excellence