Research
Our lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of mutations called gene amplifications and copy number variations (CNVs). Many important biological phenomena, including cancer, infectious diseases, and bioremediation, depend on these mutations to evolve rapidly to their changing environments. Still, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear for all organisms. Our lab aims to unravel these central mysteries along with developing various CNV-related applications, such as discovering new genomic biomarkers for early cancer detection and treatment.

In order to study gene amplifications and copy number variations, our lab utilizes some of the most genetically tractable organisms: bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Acinetobacter baylyi. The projects are accessible to undergraduate and Master’s students. Students are trained in important multidisciplinary areas that bridge classical and modern genetics with microbiology, molecular biology, experimental evolution, statistics, and computation.

​​​Publications
Our latest publication made the cover of the March 2023 issue of the journal Genetics.  Artwork by Dr. Semarhy Quiñones-Soto.

Here's a link to our latest publication with 17 student authors:
Jennifer A Herrmann, Agata Koprowska, Tesa J Winters, Nancy Villanueva, Victoria D Nikityuk, Feini Pek, Elizabeth M Reis, Constancia Z Dominguez, Daniel Davis, Eric McPherson, Staci R Rocco, Cynthia Recendez, Shyla M Difuntorum, Kelly Faeth, Mario D Lopez, Habeeba M Awwad, Rola A Ghobashy, Lauren Cappiello, Ellen L Neidle, Semarhy Quiñones-Soto, Andrew B Reams (2022). Gene amplification mutations originate prior to selective stress in Acinetobacter baylyi. G3 Genes| Genomes| Genetics.
doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkac327

Free access to our other publications can be found using either of the following two sites:

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Research Gate

Google Scholar

Lab Photos

Dr. Reams’ research team during Fall 2022 (from left to right) Dr. Drew Reams, Hanna Franklin, Victoria Nikityuk, Heidi Solis, Lorence Ramazzini, Feini Pek, Staci Rocco, Reyna Sharma, and Dr. Semarhy Quiñones-Soto

Current Lab Members:
Drew Reams (Professor) 
​Semarhy Quiñones (Co-Investigator)
Jennifer Herrmann (Masters program)
Victoria Nikityuk (Masters program)
Hanna Franklin (Masters program)
​Feini Pek
Staci Rocco
​Heidi Solis
Reyna Sharma
Lorence Ramazzini
Glenn Tseng
Desiree Caruthers
​
Lab Alumni:
Agata Koprowska, Nancy Villanueva, Tesa Winters, Katherine Bennett, Elizabeth Reis, Ryan Staley, Jennifer Serrano, Constancia Dominguez, Daniel Davis, Lamrot Tulu, Cynthia Recendez, Ayesha Shabbir, Mario Lopez, Rola Ghobashy, Habeeba Awwad, Kelly Faeth, Shyla Difuntorum, Austin Widdershoven, Raylene Olmos, ​Mariela Vega, Stephanie Avalos, Itzel Cardozo, Sam Cabral, Shannon Clayton, Nathalie Villegas, ​Eric McPherson, Cody Lee, Josephine Sami, Abraham Sugay, Renee Avila, Heather "Andy" Geyer, Alejandra Ahumada, Caitlin Harris, Sinai Yoo, Janeé Carter, Gerard LaBlue, Katlyn Lewis, Sophia Romero, Jasmin Suazo, Daniela Tapia-Acosta, Maggie Cortez, Paul Riling, Rebecca Preto, Kristen DeBacker, Jaime Fuentes, Emily Barentson, Anthony Milani, and Lance "Teo" Courtney

Staci Rocco presents her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022

Reyna Sharma presents her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022

Lorence Ramazzini presents his research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022

Heidi Solis presents her research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS) in Anaheim in November 2022

Agata Koprowska (left) & Nancy Villanueva (right) presented their research at the Sacramento State Fall Forum on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Lorence Ramazzini performing research as part of the SURE program during summer 2022.

Ayesha Shabbir won 2nd place for her research talk at the Student Research & Creative Activity Spring Symposium held on Monday, March 9 2020.

Daniel (left) and Constancia (right) presented their gene amplification research at the 2020 CSUPERB conference in Santa Clara, CA

Cynthia Recendez presented her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019 and the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019.

Kelly Faeth presented her research at the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019.

Constancia Dominguez presented her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019.

Habeeba Awwad (left) and Rola Ghobashy (right) presented their research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019.

Daniel Davis presented his research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019.

Lamrot Tulu (left) and Tesa Winters (right) presented their research at the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019.

Habeeba (left) and Rola (right) presented their siderophore and gene amplification research at the 2019 California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) conference in Orange County, CA

Dr. Reams’ research team during Summer 2019 (from left to right) back row: Daniel Davis, Ryan Staley, Shyla Difuntorum, Dr. Drew Reams, Eric McPherson, Rola Ghobashy, Agata Koprowka; middle row: Dr. Semarhy Quiñones, Elizabeth Reis, Jennifer Herrmann, Charlotte Difuntorum, Habeeba Awwad, Lamrot Tulu, Cynthia Recendez; front row: Ayesha Shabbir, Kelly Faeth, Constancia Dominguez, Tesa Winters. Not in photo: Katie Bennett and Austin Widdershoven

Josephine Sami (left) and Elizabeth Reis (right) resented their gene amplification research at the 2016 California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) conference in Orange County, CA

Sam Cabral presented his gene amplification research at the 2017 Sac State Student Research Symposium

Dr. Reams’ research team during Spring 2017 (from left to right): Jennifer Herrmann (Chemistry major), Dr. Drew Reams (PI), Dr. Semarhy Quiñones-Soto (co-PI), Shannon Clayton (Biology major), Nathalie Villegas (Biology major), Elizabeth Reis (Masters student), and Samuel Cabral (Biology major).