|
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 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) Eli Chakyrova (Master's program) Ryder Hilliard Natalie Freestone Samantha Sanchez Diana Gamboa Bella Lares Sydney Mencarini Ana Adrade Lorence Ramazzini Lab Alumni: Alejandra Ahumada Malia Ancil 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 Hanna Franklin Jaime Fuentes Heather "Andy" Geyer Rola Ghobashy Caitlin Harris Jennifer Herrmann Agata Koprowska Gerard LaBlue Cody Lee Katlyn Lewis Mario Lopez Eric McPherson Genna Meisner 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 |
Stingers up! Dr. Quiñones-Soto (middle) reunites with two former lab members: Heidi Solis (left) is currently a graduate student in the Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine PhD program at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Josephine Sami (right) earned her PhD and is currently employed as a Scientist for Pasture Biosciences in San Francisco, CA. Photo taken at NDiSTEM Conference in Phoenix, AZ during October 2024.
|
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).
|
Natalie Freestone (left) and Ryder Hilliard (middle) with Dr. Reams (right) at the 2025 CSUS Spring Symposium Award Ceremony. Natalie and Ryder won first and second place awards, respectively, for their Spring Symposium research presentations.
|
Ryder Hilliard presented his research at the 2025 CSUS Spring Symposium, winning a second place award.
|
Ryder Hilliard presented his research at the NDiSTEM Conference in Phoenix, AZ, as well as the NSM Symposium and Fall Forum events at Sacramento State during October and November 2024.
|
Natalie Freestone presented her research at the 2025 CSUS Spring Symposium, winning a first place award. As a result, Natalie was invited to present at the 2025 CSU (Statewide) Student Research Competition, an annual event that brings together top scholars for all 23 CSU campuses.
|
Natalie Freestone presented her research at the NSM Symposium and Fall Forum events at Sacramento State during October and November 2024.
|
Malia Ancil presented her research at the NSM Symposium at Sacramento State during October 2024.
Staci Rocco presents her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022. Staci is currently a PhD student at the University of Rochester, NY.
|
Genna Meisner presented her research three times during 2023-2024 at Sacramento State NSM Symposium, Fall Forum, and Spring Symposium
Reyna Sharma presents her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022. Reyna is currently enrolled in the Master's program at Keck Graduate Institute.
|
Lorence Ramazzini presents his research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2022
|
Lorence Ramazzini performing research as part of the SURE program during summer 2022.
|
Heidi Solis presented her research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS) in Anaheim during November 2022. Heidi is currently a PhD student at the University of Colorado - Anshutz Medical Campus.
|
Agata Koprowska (left) & Nancy Villanueva (right) presented their research at the Sacramento State Fall Forum on Friday, November 5, 2021. Agata is now a certified Nursing Assistant and Nancy is a medical assisting student.
|
Ayesha Shabbir won 2nd place for her research talk at the Student Research & Creative Activity Spring Symposium held on Monday, March 9 2020. Ayesha is now working as a researcher in the biotech industry.
|
Daniel Davis (left) and Constancia Dominguez (right) presented their gene amplification research at the CSUPERB conference in Santa Clara, CA during January 2020. Daniel currently is a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz. Constancia received her Master's degree and currently works as a research scientistat the California Department of Public Health.
|
Cynthia Recendez presented her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019 and the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019. Cynthia is currently enrolled in the CIRM Master's program at the UC Davis Institute of Regenerative Cures.
|
Kelly Faeth presented her research at the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019. Kelly is currently working for the California Department of Justice.
|
Lamrot Tulu (left) and Tesa Winters (right) presented their research at the CSUS Fall Forum in November 2019. Lamrot received her Master's degree and currently works as a Genetic Counselor. Tesa also received her Master's degree and works for the state of California.
|
Constancia Dominguez presented her research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019. Constancia received her Master's degree and currently employed as a research scientist at California Department of Public Health.
|
Habeeba Awwad (left) and Rola Ghobashy (right) presented their iderophore and gene amplification research at the NSM Research Symposium and California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) conference in Orange County, CA in 2019. Habeeba received her Master's degree and currently works as a Genetic Counselor. Rola is a graduate student at California Health Sciences University.
|
Daniel Davis presented his research at the NSM Research Symposium in October 2019. Daniel currently is a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz.
|
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
Sam Cabral presented his gene amplification research at the 2017 Sac State Student Research Symposium
|
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
|
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).
