Professor Frances Williams’ research celebrated by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

by Paz Garcia

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception at Clarence House this week to celebrate the women leading the way in arthritis research – including our very own Professor Frances Williams. 

Professor Williams’ work focuses on common conditions that cause high levels of disability in the general population, such as rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and other chronic pain conditions. She aims to understand how genetics, the environment and the microbiome – the millions of bacteria and other microbes that live in and on our bodies – are linked in the development of these conditions. 

“I was delighted to be included in this event, particularly as Versus Arthritis recently agreed to fund our Spine Microbiome project. In this novel study we will collect and examine intervertebral discs which are removed at spine operations for back pain. We will use new microbiome techniques to answer the question of whether some bugs get into the disc and bones and cause back pain.” 

– Professor Frances Williams 

Arthritis charity Versus Arthritis (previously Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Research Campaign) has supported Professor Williams’ throughout her career, as well as the creation of TwinsUK.