The Howard group combines simple, predictive mathematical modelling with long-lasting experimental collaborations, to dissect biological mechanisms too complex to unravel by experiments alone.
The group is currently focusing on three main areas;
- How cells remember past events, through epigenetic memory systems
- How cells control their size, through sizer mechanisms
- Spatiotemporal protein dynamics
Previous high-profile work in the group has revealed a reaction-diffusion mechanism for mid-cell division in E. coli, surface area-based dynamics of a cell sizer molecule in fission yeast, an arithmetic division mechanism for metabolic timing and an all-or-nothing epigenetic switching mechanism, with epigenetic gene silencing directly antagonised by transcription.
Selected Publications
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Yang H., Berry S., Olsson T. S. G., Hartley M., Howard M., Dean C. (2017)Distinct phases of Polycomb silencing to hold epigenetic memory of cold inArabidopsis.Science (357)Publisher's version: 0036-8075
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Berry S., Dean C., Howard M. (2017)Slow Chromatin Dynamics Allow Polycomb Target Genes to Filter Fluctuations in Transcription Factor Activity.Cell Systems (4)Publisher's version: 2405-4712
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Berry S., Hartley M., Olsson T. S., Dean C., Howard M. (2015)Local chromatin environment of a Polycomb target gene instructs its own epigenetic inheritance.eLife (4)Publisher's version: 2050-084X
Opportunities
Two postdoctoral positions are available in Martin’s group to work on theoretical approaches to epigenetics, transcriptional control and liquid-liquid phase separation. The deadline for applications is 14 October 2019
Enquiries to join the group from interested postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists are always welcomed.