Professor Leigh Breen
Supervisor Details
Research Interests
His research has focused on the regulatory mechanisms of human skeletal muscle remodeling, alongside translational in vitro cell approaches. By combining muscle biochemistry with stable isotope tracer techniques and comprehensive in vivo human physiology profiling, Professor Breen’s group have made important discoveries concerning the role of ageing, disease and inactivity on protein turnover and associated molecular signaling networks that underpin muscle health. Alongside this, research in his laboratory also focuses on the skeletal muscle adaptive response to nutrition and exercise in the context of sports nutrition, general health, and disease.
Professor Breen’s current research is broadly focused on the following specific projects:
- 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.
MIBTP Project Details
Current Projects (2025-26)
Co-supervisor on a project with Dr James Turner.
Previous Projects (2024-25)
Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Eduardo Martinez-Valdes.