Professor Leigh Breen

Leigh Breen is a Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology at the University of Birmingham and Director of the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing.

Prof. Leigh Breen’s research programme focuses on understanding the regulatory mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity and investigating potential therapies to support and optimise muscle remodelling/function in health and disease. His research is fundamentally translational and utilises a range of innovative experimental approaches and techniques, as well as wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaborations to maximize impact and influence. His major research contributions include using in vitro cell culture and in vivo human studies that incorporate muscle biopsies and stable isotope tracers to understand mechanisms of age-related sarcopenia driven by chronological ageing and aspects of biological ageing and lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity and lifelong exercise. He has also made important discoveries on the potential for resistance exercise and dietary factors to rejuvenate muscle health across the life course.

His research group consists of Post-Doctoral Fellows, PhD/MRes students, visiting academics and interns, supported by extensive research funding from UKRI (e.g., BBSRC and MRC), charitable foundations (e.g., Dunhill Medical Trust), healthcare bodies (e.g., NIHR) and industry partners (e.g., National Dairy Council).

Find out more about Professor Leigh Breen