Alecia-Jane Twigger

Alecia-Jane Twigger is a current faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, where she leads the Cambridge Lactation Lab. She holds a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship that supports her innovative research program focused on understanding human lactation at the cellular and molecular levels. Dr. Twigger's work bridges experimental laboratory approaches with computational modeling to develop novel systems for studying milk production.

Dr. Twigger's research interests center on the fundamental biological processes of human lactation. Her work investigates the biosynthesis pathways involved in milk production, the cellular mechanisms of lactocyte specification, and the molecular basis of low milk supply - a common challenge for many breastfeeding mothers. By developing lab-grown and computational models of human lactation, her research aims to translate basic scientific discoveries into practical applications that can improve breastfeeding outcomes and enhance long-term health for both mothers and children.

Analysis of Dr. Twigger's publication record reveals a strong focus on single-cell technologies applied to mammary gland biology and human milk composition. Her research spans from fundamental cellular mechanisms of lactation to translational applications, with particular emphasis on how genetic, ancestral, and metabolic factors influence milk synthesis. The integration of computational modeling with laboratory-based approaches represents a distinctive feature of her research program.

• UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship

Dr. Twigger leads the Cambridge Lactation Lab, which is actively engaged in the CAMB MOM study collecting human milk samples to enhance laboratory models of lactation. Her research group combines cutting-edge scientific tools to understand the molecular basis of human lactation, with particular focus on identifying strategies to improve breastfeeding, especially for women experiencing low milk supply. The lab collaborates with clinical researchers and accepts interns, undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and postdoctoral researchers interested in mammary gland biology and lactation science.