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Prof Leigh Breen
Dr D Wilkinson
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Research interests/description of main research theme:
Age-related skeletal muscle loss (termed ‘sarcopenia’) may be partially underpinned by impairments in the muscle response to nutrition [1, 2]. Disuse events (i.e. illness and hospitalization) result in muscle atrophy, through impairments in protein synthesis and, to some degree, protein breakdown [3, 4]. This is particularly relevant given that older adults take ~650 steps/day on hospital wards and have great difficulty recovering muscle mass during rehabilitation training [5-7]. Inactivity may also impair muscle mitochondrial function. Thus, interventions to protect skeletal muscle during disuse events are of paramount importance.
It is difficult to implement dietary strategies to prevent disuse-induced atrophy in the elderly, due to malnutrition [8]. A more feasible approach may be to introduce small nutritional compounds with pharmaceutical properties (termed ‘nutraceuticals’) to enhance muscle anabolic and attenuate catabolic processes [9]. However, nutritional interventions alone may not completely prevent disuse-induced musculoskeletal deterioration [10, 11]. Resistance exercise can effectively maintain muscle mass and function when implemented during disuse events [10, 12]. Unfortunately, for many older individuals, heavy-load exercise is not feasible or safe during disuse events. Thus, there is a clear need to develop feasible loading interventions to protect muscle mass and function during and following disuse events.
Through stable isotope tracer and muscle biopsy techniques, the proposed project will aim to understand the influence of newly developed exercise and nutritional therapies during disuse events on muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, fibre-type morphology, satellite cell content and mitochondrial content/respiration in older individuals. Collectively, therefore, this project provides an innovative approach that should appeal to students interested in skeletal muscle physiology, nutritional biochemistry and exercise conditioning.
Person Specification
Applicants should have a strong background in Exercise Metabolism, and ideally a background in Nutrition and Muscle Physiology. Experience of working in a research setting with older individuals is desirable. They should have a commitment to research in Musculoskeletal Ageing and hold or realistically expect to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honors Degree in a relevant subject.
How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Leigh Breen ([Email Address Removed])
Applications should be directed to Dr Lisa Fuller ([Email Address Removed] ). To apply, please send:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter stating the project you are applying for and highlighting your research experience/capabilities
Interviews will take place on Tuesday the 6th of March 2018
Age-related skeletal muscle loss (termed ‘sarcopenia’) may be partially underpinned by impairments in the muscle response to nutrition [1, 2]. Disuse events (i.e. illness and hospitalization) result in muscle atrophy, through impairments in protein synthesis and, to some degree, protein breakdown [3, 4]. This is particularly relevant given that older adults take ~650 steps/day on hospital wards and have great difficulty recovering muscle mass during rehabilitation training [5-7]. Inactivity may also impair muscle mitochondrial function. Thus, interventions to protect skeletal muscle during disuse events are of paramount importance.
It is difficult to implement dietary strategies to prevent disuse-induced atrophy in the elderly, due to malnutrition [8]. A more feasible approach may be to introduce small nutritional compounds with pharmaceutical properties (termed ‘nutraceuticals’) to enhance muscle anabolic and attenuate catabolic processes [9]. However, nutritional interventions alone may not completely prevent disuse-induced musculoskeletal deterioration [10, 11]. Resistance exercise can effectively maintain muscle mass and function when implemented during disuse events [10, 12]. Unfortunately, for many older individuals, heavy-load exercise is not feasible or safe during disuse events. Thus, there is a clear need to develop feasible loading interventions to protect muscle mass and function during and following disuse events.
Through stable isotope tracer and muscle biopsy techniques, the proposed project will aim to understand the influence of newly developed exercise and nutritional therapies during disuse events on muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, fibre-type morphology, satellite cell content and mitochondrial content/respiration in older individuals. Collectively, therefore, this project provides an innovative approach that should appeal to students interested in skeletal muscle physiology, nutritional biochemistry and exercise conditioning.
Person Specification
Applicants should have a strong background in Exercise Metabolism, and ideally a background in Nutrition and Muscle Physiology. Experience of working in a research setting with older individuals is desirable. They should have a commitment to research in Musculoskeletal Ageing and hold or realistically expect to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honors Degree in a relevant subject.
How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Leigh Breen ([Email Address Removed])
Applications should be directed to Dr Lisa Fuller ([Email Address Removed] ). To apply, please send:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter stating the project you are applying for and highlighting your research experience/capabilities
Interviews will take place on Tuesday the 6th of March 2018
Funding Notes
3-year funded studentship through the MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR). Students should have home or EU status: and have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the studentship to be eligible for the full award (tuition fees, research support costs, and a tax-free stipend at the Research Council rate). Applicants who have been 'ordinarily resident' in another EU member state may be eligible for a fees only award. Please see RCUK terms and conditions for further information.
This studentship is full-time and will begin on 1st of October 2018
This studentship is full-time and will begin on 1st of October 2018
References
References
1. Smeuninx, B., et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2017. 102(9): p. 3535-3545.
2. Breen, L. and S.M. Phillips, Nutrition & Metabolism, 2011. 8(1): p. 68.
3. Breen, L., et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2013. 98(6): p. 2604-12.
4. Wall, B.T., et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2016. 310(2): p. E137-47.
5. Suetta, C., et al., J Appl Physiol, 2009. 107(4): p. 1172-80.
6. McGlory, C., et al., J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2017.
7. Tanner, R.E., et al., J Physiol, 2015. 593(18): p. 4259-73.
8. Covinsky, K.E., et al., J Am Geriatr Soc, 1999. 47(5): p. 532-8.
9. Deane, C.S., et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2017: p. ajpendo 00230 2016.
10. Devries, M.C., et al., Physiol Rep, 2015. 3(8).
11. Dirks, M.L., et al., J Nutr, 2014. 144(8): p. 1196-203.
12. Oates, B.R., et al., Muscle Nerve, 2010. 42(4): p. 539-46.
1. Smeuninx, B., et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2017. 102(9): p. 3535-3545.
2. Breen, L. and S.M. Phillips, Nutrition & Metabolism, 2011. 8(1): p. 68.
3. Breen, L., et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2013. 98(6): p. 2604-12.
4. Wall, B.T., et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2016. 310(2): p. E137-47.
5. Suetta, C., et al., J Appl Physiol, 2009. 107(4): p. 1172-80.
6. McGlory, C., et al., J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2017.
7. Tanner, R.E., et al., J Physiol, 2015. 593(18): p. 4259-73.
8. Covinsky, K.E., et al., J Am Geriatr Soc, 1999. 47(5): p. 532-8.
9. Deane, C.S., et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2017: p. ajpendo 00230 2016.
10. Devries, M.C., et al., Physiol Rep, 2015. 3(8).
11. Dirks, M.L., et al., J Nutr, 2014. 144(8): p. 1196-203.
12. Oates, B.R., et al., Muscle Nerve, 2010. 42(4): p. 539-46.
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Career overview
Professor Leigh Breen is a prominent figure in the field of skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism, with a notable international reputation. He completed his PhD in Exercise Metabolism at the University of Birmingham in 2010, following an MSc by Research from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007 and a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Sciences from the same institution in 2006. Prior to his current role, he was the Director of the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Group (MMPG) and the inaugural Chair of the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell) at the University of Birmingham, where he is currently based. Professor Breen''s research primarily investigates the regulatory mechanisms of human skeletal muscle remodelling, employing translational in vitro cell approaches. His work integrates muscle biochemistry with stable isotope tracer techniques and comprehensive in vivo human physiology profiling. He has made significant contributions to understanding the impacts of ageing, disease, and inactivity on protein turnover and the molecular signalling networks that are critical for muscle health. His laboratory also explores the adaptive responses of skeletal muscle to nutrition and exercise, particularly in the contexts of sports nutrition, general health, and disease. He has received extensive research funding from various sources, including UKRI, charitable foundations, healthcare bodies, and industry partners. Professor Breen leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network, which aims to promote healthy ageing through physical activity, particularly among populations facing health inequalities. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles, achieving an H-index of 34 and an i10 index of 51, with more than 7000 citations. His expertise is frequently sought at national and international conferences as an invited speaker. Before joining the University of Birmingham, Professor Breen completed his PhD training under the guidance of leading experts in Exercise Metabolism. He was recognised as the Young Investigator of the Year at the European Congress for Sports Sciences in 2011 for his research on muscle protein metabolism in exercising humans. He furthered his expertise through a post-doctoral fellowship at McMaster University in Canada, where he investigated the effects of exercise, nutrition, and inactivity on muscle metabolic health throughout the lifespan. During this period, he developed a strong interest in musculoskeletal ageing and gained specialised training in stable isotope tracer methodology and muscle biochemistry techniques.
Research interests
Professor Breen''s research focuses on skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism, particularly the regulatory mechanisms of human skeletal muscle remodeling. His work combines muscle biochemistry with stable isotope tracer techniques and comprehensive in vivo human physiology profiling to investigate the effects of ageing, disease, and inactivity on protein turnover and molecular signalling networks that influence muscle health. Additionally, his laboratory studies the skeletal muscle adaptive response to nutrition and exercise, with applications in sports nutrition, general health, and disease management. Current research projects include examining how chronological and biological ageing affect age-related skeletal muscle deterioration, the impact of disuse on muscle health, mechanisms to counter muscle atrophy in chronic inflammatory diseases, and the muscle adaptive remodelling response to sustainable dietary protein sources. Professor Breen leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network, which aims to promote healthy ageing through physical activity, particularly in populations facing health inequalities.
Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Muscle Metabolism
Muscle Remodelling
Nutritional Interventions
Exercise Physiology
Ageing
Disease
Protein Turnover
Molecular Signalling Networks
Sports Nutrition
Health Inequalities
Biochemistry
Stable Isotope Tracer Techniques
In Vivo Physiology
Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Muscle Atrophy
Dietary Protein Sources
Physical Activity
Musculoskeletal Ageing
Translational Research
Dr D Wilkinson's profile is coming soon
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