Leigh Breen
Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology
Biography
Professor Leigh Breen is a leading expert in the field of skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism, with an international standing in this field of research. His research has focused on the regulatory mechanisms of human skeletal muscle remodelling, alongside translational in vitro cell approaches.
Dr Breen completed his PhD training at the University of Birmingham in 2010 in the field of Exercise Metabolism. In 2011, Dr Breen received a Young Investigator of the Year Award at the European Congress for Sports Sciences for studies of muscle protein metabolism in exercising humans. Subsequently, Dr Breen undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at McMaster University, Canada, investigating the influence of exercise, nutrition, and inactivity on muscle metabolic health across the lifespan. During this time, Dr Breen developed a keen interest in musculoskeletal ageing and undertook specialist training in stable isotope tracer methodology and biochemistry techniques to characterise mechanisms of skeletal muscle remodelling.
The overarching goal of Professor Breen’s research is to understand cellular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity and how exercise and nutrition modulate muscle remodelling, function and performance in health and disease. His research is fundamentally translational and utilises innovative experimental techniques, centred around wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaborations to maximise impact and influence. Professor Breen leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network, which focuses on transformative healthy ageing research through physical activity in those most affected by health inequalities. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, is a regular invited speaker at national and international conferences and a consultant and advisory board member for various industry partners.
-
Director of the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network
Previous Chair of the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell) at the University of Birmingham.
Visiting Professorship at the Beijing Sport University, China (2021 – 2023)
Consultant for various nutrition and healthcare industry bodies, (including Danone Nutricia, The Hut Group)
-
Skeletal muscle
Protein Metabolism
Ageing
Sarcopenia
Exercise
Nutrition
Professor Breen’s current research projects are focused on:
How aspects of chronological and biological ageing influence age-related skeletal muscle deterioration (e.g., from lifelong exercise to obesity).
The impact of disuse (e.g., reduced step-count, limb immobilization, bed rest) on skeletal muscle deterioration and the discovery of nutritional and exercise countermeasures.
Mechanisms and countermeasures to muscle atrophy in chronic inflammatory disease conditions (e.g., liver disease, cancer, IBD).
The muscle adaptive remodelling response to novel, sustainable dietary protein sources.
-
Professor Breen has successfully supervised 5 PhD students and 11 MSc by Research students to completion and welcomes applications from potential post-graduate students with interests aligned to his research agenda.
Articles
