Gene Regulation
Prof David M Heery,
Dr Nicole Clarke,
Dr G Sebastiaan Winkler
The Gene Regulation Group investigates the molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression in mammalian cells. Our current focus is on two families of transcription factors, the Nuclear Receptors (NRs) and the Interferon Regulated Factors (IRFs), as well as mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation by the Ccr4-Not deadenylase complex. We are investigating the structure and function of NRs and IRFs, their interactions with coactivator and corepressor complexes, and the effects of these complexes on chromatin modification, post-transcriptional gene regulation and the cell cycle. We also have interests in how these functions are disrupted in human disease such as cancer, and thus have a number of projects investigating aberrant gene regulation in leukaemias, B-cell lymphoma and breast cancer.
The Gene Regulation Group is located in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. We employ a wide range of techniques including biochemistry, cell biology, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell-sorting, real time PCR, microarray expression profiling, and ChIP-on-chip promoter arrays. We also specialise in protein-protein interactions using techniques such as yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitations and FRET.
Funding for our research programs has been secured through grants, fellowships and studentships awarded by the AICR, BBSRC, Cancer Research UK, MRC, Leukaemia Research, RPSGB and the Wellcome Trust.
Academic staff
Professor David M Heery - Professor in Gene Regulation
Dr Nicole Clarke - Lecturer in Gene Regulation
Dr G Sebastiaan Winkler - Lecturer in Gene Regulation
Group Members
Dr Hilary M Collins - Experimental Officer
Dr Ishwinder Kaur - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Rachel Doidge - Postgraduate Student
Joel Fulton - Postgraduate Student
Andrew Lewis - Postgraduate Student
Maryati Maryati - Postgraduate Student
Barbara Rampersad - Technician
Loretta Waddon - Secretary
Past Members
Dr Alessandro Rettino - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Baigong Yue - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Frances Wadelin - Clinical Research Training Fellow
Dr Marie Messmer - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Akhmed Aslam - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Saloni Mittal - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Karin B Kindle - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Dr Jerome Xicluna - Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Chun Ming Chan - Postgraduate Student
Sian Deeves - Postgraduate Student
Alex Garvin - Postgraduate Student
Blessing Oveh - Postgraduate Student (MRes)
Nijjareeya Sirisriro - Postgraduate Student
Magdy Korashy - Postgraduate Student
Cecilie Bay-Richter - Postgraduate Student
Debbie Evens - Technician