None of us are getting any younger. In fact, as a society we’re growing older than ever before. Thanks to major advances in science and medicine, life expectancy at birth has increased by almost 30 years over the last century.

This is, of course, a positive thing. But a protracted old age can also create challenges. Between 2010 and 2030, the UK faces a 101 per cent increase in people aged over 85, and this social transformation is likely to place considerable strain on public services, particularly in health and social care.

Part of the problem with ageing is the increased likelihood of chronic health conditions as our bodies mature. Living longer is not such an attractive prospect if it involves living in poor health. And so if we want to alleviate some of the obstacles to a comfortable old age, we need to better address some of the ailments that are closely linked with growing older.

And this is where science has a vital role to play. Whilst it may one day be possible to offset ageing on the cellular level, we’re still some way from enjoying effective anti-ageing medicines. But we do have other options when it comes to combatting age-related ill-health.

For instance, osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in older people. The condition – which affects approximately 8 million people in the UK – affects the cartilage surface of the joints, restricting smooth movement. This leads to swelling and, in some cases, abnormal changes to the bones. And so, for osteoarthritis sufferers, everyday movements can be very painful and difficult.

Using facilities in Oxfordshire, scientists are looking into the underlying molecular mechanisms that trigger and fuel osteoarthritis. By exploring cellular changes to affected bone cartilage, scientists hope to learn more about the condition. Ultimately, this level of knowledge could help us to design drugs that target the molecular roots of the disease.

But what about one of the most difficult issues associated with ageing: neurodegeneration? Our risk of developing certain neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease increases with age, meaning that the number of cases is steadily rising.

Neuroscience is vastly complex and we still have a lot to learn about all the triggers behind and potential therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. In Oxfordshire, scientists are busy exploring chemical changes in the brain that may be linked to the onset of conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, with a view to improving diagnosis and enhancing treatment options.

By comparing healthy brain tissue with tissue affected by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, researchers hope to identify features specific to the disease process. Increased trace metal content has previously been observed in the brains of people with these conditions, and so the group want to explore the relationship between the distribution, function and storage of these metals and neurodegenerative disease.

Ultimately, this could help us to develop better diagnostics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, allowing clinical intervention before extensive damage to brain cells can take place.

The research could also eventually help to inform drug treatments targeted towards abnormal metal content in the brains of sufferers.

As a society, we’re living longer, healthier, lives than ever before – and this is something to be celebrated. Because while ageing does present challenges – to governments, individuals, and researchers – our increased longevity is ultimately a testament to the power of science and its capacity to create a better world.