Professor Leigh Breen PhD, FHEA, FECSS

Professor Leigh Breen

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Exercise & Health Theme Lead
Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology

Contact details

Telephone
+44(0) 121 414 4109
Email
l.breen@bham.ac.uk
Twitter
Address
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
University 麻豆精选
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

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 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.

Feedback and office hours

Professor Breen's office hours are 11:00am-12:00pm on Fridays. Professor Breen is located in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Exercise Metabolism) – University 麻豆精选 2010
  • MSc by Research – Manchester Metropolitan University 2007
  • BSc(hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences - Manchester Metropolitan University 2006

Biography

Professor Breen is based in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University 麻豆精选 and works under the auspices of the Medical Research Council/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Inflammation. He is Director of the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Group (MMPG) and the inaugural Chair of the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell).

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 biochemistry and physiology experimental techniques, centred around wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaborations to maximize impact and influence. Professor Breen’s work is supported by extensive research funding from UKRI, charitable foundations, healthcare bodies and industry partners. 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 90 peer-reviewed articles (H-index 34, i10 index 51, >7000 citations) and is a regular invited speaker at national and international conferences. 

Prior to joining UoB, Dr Breen completed his PhD training at UoB in 2010 under the supervision of experts 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 in the internationally distinguished laboratory of Prof Stuart Phillips (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 extensive specialist training in stable isotope tracer methodology and muscle biochemistry techniques to characterise mechanisms of skeletal muscle remodelling.

Teaching

Professor Breen teaches on the following modules for the BSc Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences:

  • Metabolic Perspectives in Health and Disease (Year 3): Role - Module Lead
  • Sports Nutrition (Year 2): Role - Co-contributor

Postgraduate supervision

Professor Breen is Director of the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Group (MMPG), comprising 2 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows, 6 PhD students, 2 MSc by Research student and Visiting Interns (rotating basis). 

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.

Research

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.

Twitter -

 ATTAIN Network -

Other activities

In 2019 Professor Breen was awarded Fellow status with the European College of Sports Sciences (ECSS). In 2021 Professor Breen was elected to the Scientific Committee of the ECSS. 

Professor Breen acts as a consultant for various nutrition and healthcare industry bodies (e.g., Dairy UK, European Whey Processors Association) and has received research funding from industry stakeholders including Volac LTD and Myprotein.

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. More information on the ATTAIN Network can be found at the following link .

Professor Breen holds a Visiting Professorship at the Beijing Sport University, China (2021 – present)

Publications

A full list of Professor Breen’s publications can be found on his Google Scholar page

 

Research Articles:

 Marshall RN, Smeuninx B, Seabright AP, Morgan PT, Atherton PJ, Philp A, Breen L. Physiol Rep. 2022 Jul;10(13):e15345. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15345. PMID: 35785448.

 

 Allen SL, Seabright AP, Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Williams FR, Fine NHF, Hodson DJ, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkaway AM, Greig CA, Lai YC, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Cells. 2022 Mar 24;11(7):1098. doi: 10.3390/cells11071098. PMID: 35406665.

 

 Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Williams F, Allen SL, Breen L, Greig CA, Lord JM, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM. Front Physiol. 2022 Feb 15;12:817152. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.817152. eCollection 2021. PMID: 35242045.

 

 Nishimura Y, Højfeldt G, Breen L, Tetens I, Holm L. Nutr Res Rev. 2021 Dec 17:1. doi: 10.1017/S0954422421000408. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34919036.


 Dhaliwal A, Williams FR, Quinlan JI, Allen SL, Greig C, Filer A, Raza K, Ghosh S, Lavery GG, Newsome PN, Choudhary S, Breen L, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM, Lord JM. Skelet Muscle. 2021 Dec 11;11(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13395-021-00282-5. PMID: 34895316.

 

 Edwards SJ, Shad BJ, Marshall RN, Morgan PT, Wallis GA, Breen L. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Dec 1;131(6):1653-1662. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00650.2021. Epub 2021 Nov 4. PMID: 34734783. 

 

 Nishimura Y, Højfeldt G, Breen L, Tetens I, Holm L. Nutr Res Rev. 2021 Oct 20:1-17. doi: 10.1017/S0954422421000329. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34666855.

 

 Lewgood J, Oliveira B, Korzepa M, Forbes SC, Little JP, Breen L, Bailie R, Candow DG. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 12;13(7):2378. doi: 10.3390/nu13072378. PMID: 34371888.

 

 Maunder E, Bradley HE, Deane CS, Hodgson AB, Jones M, Joanisse S, Turner AM, Breen L, Philp A, Wallis GA. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Jul 1;131(1):376-387. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00811.2020. Epub 2021 May 27. PMID: 34043470

 

  Allen SL, Marshall RN, Edwards SJ, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2021 Jul 1;321(1):C26-C37. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00093.2021. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33909501.

 

 Morgan PT, Breen L. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2021 Apr 21;18(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12986-021-00574-z. PMID: 33882976 Free PMC article.

 

 Morgan PT, Harris DO, Marshall RN, Quinlan JI, Edwards SJ, Allen SL, Breen L. J Nutr. 2021 Jul 1;151(7):1901-1920. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab055. PMID: 33851213

 

 Shad BJ, Thompson JL, Mckendry J, Holwerda AM, Elhassan YS, Breen L, van Loon LJC, Wallis GA. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2021 May 1;31(3):209-216. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0274. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 33601335

 

 Smeuninx B, Elhassan YS, Manolopoulos KN, Sapey E, Rushton AB, Edwards SJ, Morgan PT, Philp A, Brook MS, Gharahdaghi N, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Breen L. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2021 Feb;12(1):52-69. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12661. Epub 2020 Dec 21. PMID: 33347733

 

 Morgan PT, Smeuninx B, Breen L. Front Nutr. 2020 Dec 1;7:569904. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.569904. eCollection 2020. PMID: 33335909

 

 Allen SL, Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM, Greig CA, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2021 Mar 1;320(3):G241-G257. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00373.2020. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33236953

 

 Hodson N, Dent JR, Song Z, O'Leary MF, Nicholson T, Jones SW, Murray JT, Jeromson S, Hamilton DL, Breen L, Philp A. Exp Physiol. 2020 Dec;105(12):2178-2189. doi: 10.1113/EP088805. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 32965751

 

 Edwards SJ, Smeuninx B, Mckendry J, Nishimura Y, Luo D, Marshall RN, Perkins M, Ramsay J, Joanisse S, Philp A, Breen L. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 11;112(5):1368-1381. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa229. PMID: 32910813.

 Williams ER, McKendry J, Morgan PT, Breen L. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Feb 1;16(2):287-295. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0716. Epub 2020 Sep 1. PMID: 32871554

 

 Marshall RN, Smeuninx B, Morgan PT, Breen L. Nutrients. 2020 May 25;12(5):1533. doi: 10.3390/nu12051533. PMID: 32466126

 

 Luo D, Edwards S, Smeuninx B, McKendry J, Nishimura Y, Perkins M, Philp A, Joanisse S, Breen L. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2020 May 6. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00072.2020. Online ahead of print. PMID: 32374680

 

 Marshall RN, Morgan PT, Martinez-Valdes E, Breen L. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Jul 15;136:110965. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110965. Epub 2020 Apr 30. PMID: 32360986

 

 Smeuninx B, Greig CA, Breen L. Front Nutr. 2020 Mar 16;7:25. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00025. eCollection 2020. PMID: 32232047

 

 D'Hulst G, Soro-Arnaiz I, Masschelein E, Veys K, Fitzgerald G, Smeuninx B, Kim S, Deldicque L, Blaauw B, Carmeliet P, Breen L, Koivunen P, Zhao SM, De Bock K. Nat Commun. 2020 Jan 10;11(1):174. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13889-6. PMID: 31924757.

 

 Morehen S, Smeuninx B, Perkins M, Morgan P, Breen L. Nutrients. 2019 Dec 28;12(1):90. doi: 10.3390/nu12010090. PMID: 31905607 Free PMC article.

 

 McKendry J, Shad BJ, Smeuninx B, Oikawa SY, Wallis G, Greig C, Phillips SM, Breen L. Front Physiol. 2019 Aug 30;10:1084. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01084. eCollection 2019. PMID: 31543824

 

 McKendry J, Joanisse S, Baig S, Liu B, Parise G, Greig CA, Breen L. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 May 22;75(6):1079-1088. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glz142. PMID: 31155637

 

 Nicholson T, Church C, Tsintzas K, Jones R, Breen L, Davis ET, Baker DJ, Jones SW. J Endocrinol. 2019 Feb 1:JOE-18-0528.R3. doi: 10.1530/JOE-18-0528. Online ahead of print. PMID: 30721136

 

 Wilson D, Breen L, Lord JM, Sapey E. BMC Res Notes. 2018 Nov 26;11(1):830. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3947-8. PMID: 30477571 Free PMC article.

 

 Heaselgrave SR, Blacker J, Smeuninx B, McKendry J, Breen L. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019 Mar 1;14(3):360-368. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0427. Epub 2019 Feb 6. PMID: 30160627 

 

 Smeuninx B, Nishimura Y, McKendry J, Limb M, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Breen L. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jun;38(3):1423-1432. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.06.963. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29970319

 

 Mckendry J, Breen L, Shad BJ, Greig CA. Ageing Res Rev. 2018 Aug;45:62-82. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.04.007. Epub 2018 Apr 30. PMID: 29715523

 

 King DG, Walker M, Campbell MD, Breen L, Stevenson EJ, West DJ. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 Apr 1;107(4):550-557. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy019. PMID: 29635505

 

 Hodson N, Brown T, Joanisse S, Aguirre N, West DWD, Moore DR, Baar K, Breen L, Philp A. Nutrients. 2017 Dec 26;10(1):23. doi: 10.3390/nu10010023. PMID: 29278358

 

 Smeuninx B, Mckendry J, Wilson D, Martin U, Breen L. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Sep 1;102(9):3535-3545. doi: 10.1210/jc.2017-00869. PMID: 28911148

 

 Pérez-Schindler J, Esparza MC, McKendry J, Breen L, Philp A, Schenk S. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2017 Sep 1;313(3):C257-C261. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00100.2017. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID: 28659288

 

 Shad BJ, Thompson JL, Breen L. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Nov 1;311(5):E803-E817. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00213.2016. Epub 2016 Aug 23. PMID: 27555299

 

 McKendry J, Pérez-López A, McLeod M, Luo D, Dent JR, Smeuninx B, Yu J, Taylor AE, Philp A, Breen L. Exp Physiol. 2016 Jul 1;101(7):866-82. doi: 10.1113/EP085647. Epub 2016 Jun 2. PMID: 27126459

 

 McLeod M, Breen L, Hamilton DL, Philp A. Biogerontology. 2016 Jun;17(3):497-510. doi: 10.1007/s10522-015-9631-7. Epub 2016 Jan 20. PMID: 26791164

 

 Lucas SJ, Breen L, Phillips AC. Sci Prog. 2015;98(Pt 4):413-5. doi: 10.3184/003685015X14467218232110. PMID: 26790179

 

 Shad BJ, Smeuninx B, Atherton PJ, Breen L. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2015 Dec;40(12):1233-41. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0350. Epub 2015 Sep 21. PMID: 26566242

 

 Devries MC, Breen L, Von Allmen M, MacDonald MJ, Moore DR, Offord EA, Horcajada MN, Breuillé D, Phillips SM. Physiol Rep. 2015 Aug;3(8):e12493. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12493. PMID: 26265753

 

 Philp A, Schenk S, Perez-Schindler J, Hamilton DL, Breen L, Laverone E, Jeromson S, Phillips SM, Baar K. J Physiol. 2015 Sep 15;593(18):4275-84. doi: 10.1113/JP271219. PMID: 26227152

 

 Hector AJ, Marcotte GR, Churchward-Venne TA, Murphy CH, Breen L, von Allmen M, Baker SK, Phillips SM. J Nutr. 2015 Feb;145(2):246-52. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.200832. Epub 2014 Dec 17. PMID: 25644344

 

 Moore DR, Churchward-Venne TA, Witard O, Breen L, Burd NA, Tipton KD, Phillips SM. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015 Jan;70(1):57-62. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glu103. Epub 2014 Jul 23. PMID: 25056502

 

 Grosset JF, Breen L, Stewart CE, Burgess KE, Onambélé GL. Age (Dordr). 2014 Jun;36(3):9657. doi: 10.1007/s11357-014-9657-9. Epub 2014 Apr 24. PMID: 24760611

 

 McGlory C, Galloway SD, Hamilton DL, McClintock C, Breen L, Dick JR, Bell JG, Tipton KD. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014 Jun;90(6):199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.03.001. Epub 2014 Mar 29. PMID: 24726616

 

 Di Donato DM, West DW, Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2014 May 1;306(9):E1025-32. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00487.2013. Epub 2014 Mar 4. PMID: 24595306

 

 Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Di Donato DM, Hector AJ, Mitchell CJ, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Breuille D, Offord EA, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb;99(2):276-86. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.068775. Epub 2013 Nov 27. PMID: 24284442

 

 Witard OC, Jackman SR, Breen L, Smith K, Selby A, Tipton KD. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jan;99(1):86-95. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.055517. Epub 2013 Nov 20. PMID: 24257722 

 

 Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Phillips SM. Biofactors. 2014 Mar-Apr;40(2):199-205. doi: 10.1002/biof.1138. Epub 2013 Sep 16. PMID: 24105883

 

 Breen L, Stokes KA, Churchward-Venne TA, Moore DR, Baker SK, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Phillips SM. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jun;98(6):2604-12. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-1502. Epub 2013 Apr 15. PMID: 23589526

 

 Robinson MJ, Burd NA, Breen L, Rerecich T, Yang Y, Hector AJ, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2013 Feb;38(2):120-5. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2012-0092. Epub 2012 Nov 9. PMID: 23438221

 

 Breen L, Phillips SM. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;75(3):708-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04456.x. PMID: 22957963

 

Yang Y, Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, Breen L, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012 Jun 14;9(1):57. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-9-57. PMID: 22698458

 

 Mitchell CJ, Churchward-Venne TA, West DW, Burd NA, Breen L, Baker SK, Phillips SM. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012 Jul;113(1):71-7. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00307.2012. Epub 2012 Apr 19. PMID: 22518835

 

 Breen L, Phillips SM. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 May;15(3):226-32. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283516850. PMID: 22366920 Review.

 

  

Yang Y, Breen L, Burd NA, Hector AJ, Churchward-Venne TA, Josse AR, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Br J Nutr. 2012 Nov 28;108(10):1780-8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114511007422. Epub 2012 Feb 7. PMID: 22313809

 

 Farnfield MM, Breen L, Carey KA, Garnham A, Cameron-Smith D. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Feb;37(1):21-30. doi: 10.1139/h11-132. Epub 2011 Dec 13. PMID: 22148961

 

Breen L, Phillips SM. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2011 Oct 5;8:68. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-8-68. PMID: 21975196

 

 Breen L, Philp A, Witard OC, Jackman SR, Selby A, Smith K, Baar K, Tipton KD. J Physiol. 2011 Aug 15;589(Pt 16):4011-25. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.211888. Epub 2011 Jul 11. PMID: 21746787

 

 Breen L, Philp A, Shaw CS, Jeukendrup AE, Baar K, Tipton KD. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20613. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020613. Epub 2011 Jun 20. PMID: 21701685

 

 Burd NA, West DW, Camera DM, Breen L. J Physiol. 2011 Jun 1;589(Pt 11):2667-8. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.207332. PMID: 21632529

 

 Onambélé-Pearson GL, Breen L, Stewart CE. Age (Dordr). 2010 Jun;32(2):125-38. doi: 10.1007/s11357-009-9129-9. Epub 2010 Jan 29. PMID: 20431985

 

 Onambélé-Pearson GL, Breen L, Stewart CE. Age (Dordr). 2010 Jun;32(2):139-53. doi: 10.1007/s11357-010-9141-0. Epub 2010 Apr 21. PMID: 20407838


 Breen L, Tipton KD, Jeukendrup AE. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Jun;42(6):1140-8. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c91f1a. PMID: 19997018