Gareth Howell
Publications
Research - I received a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Manchester, UK. I went on to join The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK where I studied for my Ph.D. in comparative genomics and bioinformatics. In 2003 I joined the laboratory of Dr. John Schimenti, at The Jackson Laboratory, as a postdoctoral associate gaining hands-on experience using mice to study genes contributing to developmental disease. I returned to the UK, taking a second postdoctoral position at The University of Sheffield, UK, to train with Dr. Stuart Wilson and Dr. Marysia Plazcek, in powerful new methods for gene-silencing.
I returned to the Jackson Laboratory as an Associate Research Scientist in October 2005 working closely with Simon John to understand the neurobiology of glaucoma and to develop clinically relevant neuroprotective treatments. I am using my bioinformatics and other experience in a large-scale study of optic nerve genes that change in response to IOP. I am discovering genes that are involved in the earliest stages of glaucomatous neurodegeneration and this comprehensive study is also uncovering important factors that will help in the development of novel neuroprotective therapies.
My other major focus is the refinement of a radiation-based neuroprotective treatment that completely prevents optic nerve damage in DBA/2J mice. I am investigating the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection in order to develop a treatment that does not involve radiation. I am also testing the therapeutic benefit of X-ray irradiation to the eye and optic nerve. This work has the potential to have a major impact on the treatment of human glaucomas.
Interests - Living on Mount Desert Island (MDI) it is difficult not to love the outdoors. Back in the UK I was a keen football player, but over here the ball is the wrong shape! Instead I like to run around the miles and miles of trails that wind around the island. In 2006, I completed the MDI marathon. Aside from that I have 3 young kids . . . enough said!
Howell GR, Libby RT, Jakobs TC, Phalan FC, Barter JW, Barbay JM, Smith RS, Wihtmore AV, Masland RH, John SWM. Submitted. Axons of retinal ganglion cells are insulted in the lamina early in a mouse glaucoma.
Stevens B, Allen NJ, Christopherson KS, Vazquez LE, Huberman AD, Nouri N, Howell GR, Stafford B, Sher A, Litke AM, Lambris JD, John SWM, Barres BA. In Press. The classical complement cascade mediates development CNS synapse elimination
Howell GR, Libby RT, Marchant JK, Wilson LA, Cosma IM, Smith RS, Anderson MG, John SWM. 2007. Absence of glaucoma in DBA/2J mice homozygous for wild-type versions of Gpnmb and Tyrp1. BMC Genet 8:45
Return to Staff page.
