Bethan Phillips

As part of the MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing, my work focuses on the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal morbidities (sarcopenia, cachexia, arthritis, disuse, metabolic syndrome etc.) and interventions to mitigate their progression and consequences. Combining molecular biology, stable isotope methodologies and detailed in vivo human physiology, I have been a key part of a team that has uncovered fundamental parameters governing alterations in musculoskeletal metabolism with ageing and disease. The unique aspect of my expertise is combining detailed in vivo human physiology with state-of-the-art vascular imaging methodologies to determine links between vascular function (including the musculoskeletal microvasculature) and metabolic dysregulation in ageing and disease, and in the context of exercise-, nutrition- and pharmacological-based interventions. Latterly, I have also been involved in the application of OMIC technologies to discover predictors of, and the basis for, musculoskeletal and vascular decline in ageing and disease. My future focus is aimed at investigating the mechanisms of, and developing predictors for, the heterogeneous metabolic and physiological improvements in responses to exercise-for-health interventions. I also have a strong interest in developing optimal exercise training interventions, based around clinical constraints (e.g. time to surgery), to improve physical function in varying clinical cohorts (i.e. colorectal cancer, rheumatoid arthritis). I have significant involvement with aspects of research relating to ethics, good clinical practice and scientific outreach.