Professor Leigh Breen

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Centre for Diabetes Research, University of Leicester

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Leigh is Professor of Translational Physiology at the University of Leicester, based within the Diabetes Research Centre at Leicester General Hospital. His research focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms that underpin skeletal muscle remodelling and developing targeted strategies to optimise muscle adaptation, function and performance across health, ageing and chronic disease, with a particular emphasis on exercise and nutrition. His work is fundamentally translational, combining innovative experimental approaches with interdisciplinary collaborations and community engagement to maximise scientific, clinical and societal impact.

Alongside his academic research, Leigh has provided scientific advisory and consultancy support across the nutrition, health technology and pharmaceutical sectors, helping to translate emerging science into practical products, interventions and innovation strategies.

Leigh is also passionate about supporting the development of early-career researchers. His work is supported by substantial funding from research councils, charitable foundations, healthcare organisations and industry partners. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in leading international journals and is a regular invited speaker at national and international conferences.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Approachable, Encouraging and Developmental.

Provision of Training

My supervision style is approachable, encouraging and developmental. I am committed to being available and present throughout the PhD, fostering open and transparent dialogue, tailoring support to individual training and development needs, and helping students build the skills, confidence and networks needed for successful future careers.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I encourage students to take increasing ownership of their research and progression, while maintaining regular communication and seeking support when needed. Clear expectations and milestones are agreed throughout the PhD, with progress reviewed regularly through open and constructive discussions; where challenges arise, we work together to develop solutions and ensure continued progress towards the student's full potential.

Communication

I value open, honest and timely communication, and encourage students to discuss both research and personal challenges that may affect their progress or wellbeing. While I am often available and responsive outside standard working hours, I do not expect the same from my students and actively support a healthy work-life balance; my role is to provide guidance, support and constructive feedback whenever it is needed.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Pattern

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Defining and Targeting Menopause-Associated Muscle Metabolic Dysregulation Using Human Discovery and Cell-Based Models

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Defining and Targeting Menopause-Associated Muscle Metabolic Dysregulation Using Human Discovery and Cell-Based Models

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Martin Whitham, Professor Claire Meek, Dr Luke Baker, Dr Mark Turner

University of Registration: University of Leicester

BBSRC Research Themes:

Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

The menopause transition is associated with accelerated declines in skeletal muscle mass, strength and metabolic health, yet the mechanisms linking ovarian hormone loss to impaired muscle adaptation remain poorly understood (1). This project will test the hypothesis that menopause alters circulating factors, including extracellular vesicles (EVs), that impair skeletal muscle protein homeostasis and responsiveness to nutrition and exercise (2).

The student will characterise muscle protein turnover, body composition and function across pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women using stable-isotope tracers, physiological phenotyping and plasma profiling. These findings will inform tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models exposed to menopause-relevant hormonal environments to determine how ovarian hormone withdrawal affects protein turnover, mitochondrial function, metabolic flexibility and regenerative capacity.

Plasma obtained across the menopause transition will then be applied to engineered muscle constructs to test whether changes in circulating factors causally influence muscle proteostasis and responses to nutritional or contractile stimuli. This platform will support mechanistic investigations and preclinical screening of potential interventions.

This interdisciplinary project combines human physiology, endocrinology, EV biology, tissue engineering and quantitative data analysis to identify mechanisms underpinning menopause-related muscle decline and potential intervention targets. The student will incorporate patient and public perspectives through qualitative research exploring menopause, muscle health, physical activity and nutrition. Collectively, the project will establish mechanistic and translational foundations for future intervention studies while supporting patient and public involvement and wider women's health initiatives.

References

Menzies, C., et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2026. 17(1): e70232.

Puumalainen, V., et al. Exp Physiol, 2026