Newcastle University scientists involved in groundbreaking British Heart Foundation (BHF) research have pledged to take part in the 2025 Great North Run in support of the charity’s life-saving work.
Maria Camacho Encina, 34, Laura Booth, 27, and Mille Fullerton, 27, all work alongside one another at the university’s Biosciences Institute. Maria and Laura study the presence of ‘zombie cells’ which are more prevalent in people with heart disease.
‘Zombie’ cells are not dead, but they don’t work as they should. They release molecules which can impact neighbouring cells, turning these into ‘zombie’ cells too. They also increase the amount of inflammation and cause scar tissue to form in the heart muscle. This raises the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.
Laura studies how zombie cells might build up in the heart after some chemotherapy treatments, which can cause heart disease as a side effect for cancer survivors.
Maria examines whether the absence of zombie cells in some people aged over 65 could mean that their hearts have remained healthy enough to use in transplants. Currently anyone over 65 is not considered as a potential heart donor, as it is assumed that the heart may be old, but the absence of ‘zombie’ cells could indicate the heart has a lower biological age.
Millie investigates the genetic causes of cardiomyopathy in children. Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases that weaken the heart muscle which, over time, disrupt its normal function, making it harder to pump blood around the body. Millie’s research focuses on a genetic cause that affects the function of mitochondria, which are the ‘powerhouses of the cell’ because they generate energy. Since the heart needs to beat continuously, any problem with energy production can lead to diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy DCM.
The BHF currently funds 13 research projects at Newcastle University through grants totalling £5.8 million.
The researchers are urging other would-be runners from across the northeast to sign up for the event through the AJ Bell Great North Run ballot before it closes at 2pm on Wednesday 15 January. To enter the ballot click here or from Jan 16 support the BHF through securing a 2025 charity place through the BHF website.
The ballot window coincides with the release of a new BHF-commissioned survey carried out by OnePoll that reveals that over 95 per cent of people UK-wide believe the Great North Run is an important event to the north east. It also indicated that eight in 10 Brits are looking for a new lease of life with 61 per cent of the British public feeling unfulfilled in their personal life.
BHF is proposing to combat this malaise through encouraging people to sign up for the Great Run Series of events, including its flagship, the Great North Run.
Millie Fullerton, Maria Carnacho, and Laura Booth sign up to the GNR for the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
(Image: BHF)
Millie said: “The atmosphere in Newcastle for the GNR weekend is amazing, and I feel very honoured to be running for the BHF as we get to see first-hand where the funding goes and how important the research is. I’m excited to start training as we’re all good friends and this is going to be something we can all do together outside work, which will be fun.”
Laura said: “I’m looking forward to challenging myself and raising money for the BHF as every day we see the difference those funds make. It’s great to be involved in the Great North Run because it’s such an iconic event for the northeast and I know the support along the course is going to be a great experience for us all.”
Dan Geneen, Head of Fundraising at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Doing something out of your normal comfort zone can have many benefits from increased confidence to a greater sense of fulfilment. This is especially true if you’re doing something that positively impacts other people as well as yourself. You are never too old to try something new – if you don’t take the plunge, you will never know the benefits.
“Here at the BHF, we know just how rewarding taking on a physical event for charity can be. With four in ten people surveyed believing that getting outside and more frequent exercise will help them and that a third of people have a lack of confidence to step out of their comfort zone, our challenge events are able to facilitate both of these in a supportive way.”
Sign up to a 2025 BHF challenge event here: www.bhf.org.uk/events