|
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. We aim to unravel these central mysteries along with developing various CNV-related applications, such as discovering new genomic biomarkers for early cancer detection and treatment. 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. If you are a highly motivated undergraduate student at CSUS or interested in a Master's degree and would like to discuss research opportunities in the D.Reams lab, please email Dr. Reams at [email protected]. For undergraduate students seeking research experience, please see the teaching webpage for information on the BIO 180 course needed before joining our research lab. Publications
Our latest publication made the cover of the March 2023 issue of the journal Genetics. Artwork by Dr. Semarhy Quiñones-Soto. 
Cover Figure Legend: In a model system to study gene amplification mutations, a strain of the bacterium Acinetobacter baylyi is spread onto agar plates with the aromatic compound benzoate as the sole carbon source. While this strain is unable to grow on these plates, rare mutant colonies arise (cream color circles). These mutant cells (blue green ovals) nearly exclusively contain de novo amplification mutations (represented by the repeated dark orange rectangles) encompassing low expressed genes encoding enzymes involved in benzoate catabolism. Art by co-author Semarhy Quiñones-Soto, PhD.
Here's a link to our publication referenced by the journal cover:
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: 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) Victoria Nikityuk (Master's program) Hanna Franklin (Master's program) Eli Chakyrova (Master's program) Genna Meisner Ryder Hilliard Samantha Sanchez Malia Ancil Natalie Freestone Lorence Ramazzini Lab Alumni: Alejandra Ahumada Stephanie Avalos Renee Avila Habeeba Awwad Emily Barentson Katherine Bennett Sam Cabral Itzel Cardozo Janeé Carter Desiree Caruthers Shannon Clayton Maggie Cortez Lance "Teo" Courtney Daniel Davis Kristen DeBacker Shyla Difuntorum Constancia Dominguez Kelly Faeth Jaime Fuentes Heather "Andy" Geyer Rola Ghobashy Caitlin Harris Jennifer Herrmann Agata Koprowska Gerard LaBlue Cody Lee Katlyn Lewis Mario Lopez Eric McPherson Anthony Milani Raylene Olmos Feini Pek Rebecca Preto Cynthia Recendez Elizabeth Reis Paul Riling Staci Rocco Sophia Romero Josephine Sami Jennifer Serrano Ayesha Shabbir Reyna Sharma Heidi Solis Ryan Staley Jasmin Suazo Abraham Sugay Daniela Tapia-Acosta Glenn Tseng Lamrot Tulu Mariela Vega Nancy Villanueva Nathalie Villegas Austin Widdershoven Tesa Winters Sinai Yoo |
Master's student Hanna Franklin won first place at the 2024 CSU (Statewide) Student Research Competition, an annual event that brings together scholars from all 23 CSU campuses. Hanna was also a finalist for the Don Eden Award for her research presentation at the CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Santa Clara, CA during January 2024. The following March she won a first place award for her research talk at the Sacramento State Spring Symposium. Photo by Kyle Chesser (Hands on Studio).
|
Genna Meisner presented her research three times during 2023-2024 at Sacramento State NSM Symposium, Fall Forum, and Spring Symposium
|
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).
|
