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Staff Profile

Dr Thomas Howard

Reader in Synthetic and Molecular Biology

  • Address: Molecular Life Sciences,
    School of Natural and Environmental Sciences,
    Devonshire Building,
    Newcastle University,
    Newcastle-Upon-Tyne,
    NE1 7RU, UK
Background

Biography

Dr Thomas Howard is Reader in Synthetic and Molecular Biology at Newcastle University. He earned his PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Sheffield, where he used transgenic techniques to investigate carbon source–sink relationships in plants. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research on plant metabolism at the University of Essex and the John Innes Centre, before changing focus to microbial metabolism at the University of Exeter. In 2015, he established his own research group at Newcastle University. His team applies a range of techniques - including metabolic engineering, cell-free systems, laboratory automation, and statistical Design of Experiments - to develop biology-inspired metabolic pathways, smart materials, and biosensors. He has secured significant funding from the BBSRC, EPSRC, and Dstl to support innovations in cell-free diagnostics and programmable biological materials.

Dr Howard is a committed advocate of student-led research. He has supervised undergraduate research projects and Nuffield Research Placement students in this fashion, and in 2012 led the University of Exeter’s inaugural entry into the international iGEM synthetic biology competition. He remained involved with iGEM both at Exeter and Newcastle for many years afterwards. In recognition of his contributions to teaching and student support, he was made a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2018.

Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • PhD: Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (University of Sheffield)
  • BSc (Hons) in Botany and Zoology (University of Reading)

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Culture and Inclusion (formerly Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Committee Member (2024 - present)
  • Biology BSc, Stage 2 Co-ordinator (2024 - present)
  • European Federation of Biotechnology, Designer Biology 2025 Committee Member (2024 - 2025)
  • UKRI-BBSRC Pool of Experts (2023 - present)
  • External Examiner for University of Nottingham BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology and Plant Sciences (2023 - present)
  • Group Lead (2019 - 2023) and Director of Expertise (2022 - 2023) for the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Group (now Molecular Life Sciences)
  • Deputy Degree Programme Director (2020 - present): MRes in Biotechnology and Biodesign
  • BBSRC STARS Programme: Using virtual experimentation for better experimental design in biological and biotechnological research, Lead-Organiser (2016 - 2019)
  • Learning and Teaching Working Group: Links with Industry, 2017
  • UK Plant Sciences Federation Translation Working Group Implementation Plan, 2014 
  • Society for Experimental Biology AGM, ‘Synthetic Biology’ Session Co-Organiser, 30 June - 3 July 2015, Clarion Congress Hotel, Prague.
  • Society for Experimental Biology, ‘Synthetic Biology’ Co-Organiser, 8 - 10 January 2014, Charles Darwin House, London.

Awards

Dr Howard was part of the team that was awarded a University of Exeter Impact Award for Outstanding Impact in Technology, and was shortlisted for the BBSRC Innovator of the Year: Most Promising Innovation award in 2014 for work developing petroleum-replica hydrocarbons.

Research

Research Summary

Dr Howard’s research sits at the intersection of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, underpinned by a long-standing interest in how complex biological systems emerge and can be harnessed for biotechnological innovation. His group employs both cell-free and microbial systems - using molecular biology, biochemistry, small-scale laboratory automation, statistical design of experiments, and mathematical modelling - to engineer biology-inspired metabolic pathways, materials and biosensors. In particular, he applies Design of Experiments and laboratory automation to systematically understand and optimise diverse biological systems. Recent achievements include pioneering the embedding of cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems within macroscale hydrogels and demonstrating that hydrogel-based CFPS can enhance CFPS longevity and support gene regulatory networks. He has authored book chapters on microbial metabolism for next-generation biofuels and more recently contributed to reviews on biosensor development for plant pest surveillance and wastewater epidemiology. In parallel, he has secured significant funding from the BBSRC, EPSRC, and Dstl, leading several UKRI-funded projects at Newcastle University. This includes an EPSRC grant to develop self-disclosing protective materials using synthetic gene networks, and BBSRC awards to develop smart materials for equipment-free molecular identification of insect pests and viral vectors, and to engineer bioprogrammable materials using hydrogel-based CFPS. He has also acted as co-investigator on a number of other UKRI projects.

External links

Current PhD students

  • Katherine Convey (BBSRC DTP, 2023 - 2027)
  • Ariadna Vidal I Herrera (EPSRC RENU CDT, 2023 - 2027)

Former PhD Students

  • Dr Christopher Azubuike (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission)
  • Dr Steve Brown (Shell, University of Exeter, with Steve Aves)
  • Dr Jamie Gilman (Shell, University of Exeter, with John Love)
  • Dr Catherine Harrison (IAFRI with Fera Ltd)
  • Dr Alex Laverick (IAFRI with Fera Ltd)
  • Dr Josh Loh (BBSRC)
  • Dr Alisa Prusokiene (BBSRC NLD DTP with Fera Ltd)
  • Dr Eva Cea Torrescassana (BBSRC NLD DTP)

Former Research Staff

  • Dr Christopher Azubuike (BBSRC)
  • Dr Alice Banks (EPSRC-Dstl)
  • Dr Adokiye Berepiki (BBSRC)
  • Dr Charlotte Cook (dstl, University of Exeter)
  • Dr Siji Kavil (BBSRC)
  • Dr Alex Laverick (BBSRC)
  • Dr Colette Whitfield (EPSRC-Dstl)

Academic Collaborations (External Only)

  • Dr Rajesh Bommareddy (Northumbria University, Applied Sciences)
  • Professor Anastasia Callaghan (University of Portsmouth, Biological Sciences)
  • Professor Jonathan Fieldsend (University of Exeter, Computer Sciences)
  • Professor Marc Knight (University of Durham, Biosciences)
  • Professor Luning Liu (University of Liverpool, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology)
  • Professor John Love (University of Exeter, Biosciences)
  • Dr Maria del Carmen Montero-Calasanz (IFAPA Las Torres, Junta de Andalucía)
  • Dr Jose Munoz (Northumbria University, Applied Sciences)
  • Professor Susan Seal (University of Greenwich, Natural Resources Institute)
  • Dr Gonçalo Silva (University of Greenwich, Natural Resources Institute)
Teaching

Modules (2024/2025)

  • Biotechnology: Advanced Topics (Masters): Module Lead
  • Biotechnology: Principles and Practice (Second Year Undergraduate)
  • Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Projects (Third Year Undergraduate)
  • MSc in Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology, Research Dissertation Projects (Masters)
  • MRes in Biotechnology and Biodesign, Research Dissertation Projects (Masters)
  • Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences (First Year Undergraduate)

Previous years

  • Bioprospecting: Biological and Chemical Diversity of Endophytes (2016-2022, Second and Third Year Undergraduate): Module Lead
  • Biotechnology: Applications (2016-2022, Third Year Undergraduate)
Publications