Rate My Professor Sabine Rech

Sabine Rech is a Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at San José State University, where she holds a position in Biology and serves as Director of the Master of Biotechnology (MBT) Program. Her academic journey began with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Santa Clara in 1984, followed by an M.A. in Microbiology from San José State University in 1987, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis in 1992. She completed postdoctoral training in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at UCLA and in Environmental Microbiology at Michigan State University’s Center for Microbial Ecology, both during 1998-1999. Rech teaches core courses in the department, including Micro 101 (General Microbiology), Micro 122 (Bacterial Diversity), Micro 127 (Microbial Physiology), and Biol 255M (Seminar in Advanced Biology - Methods and Models).

Rech’s research centers on environmental microbiology and microbial diversity. Her current investigations encompass the isolation of bromination enzymes, including bromoperoxidases, from bacteria in marine and high-salt environments such as salt evaporation ponds and the slime of the acorn worm (Ptychodera jamaicensis). Bacterial identification utilizes 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by enzyme characterization. She also examines microbial diversity in salt marsh soils during natural restoration processes, focusing on denitrifying organisms. This work applies RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA genes across three marshes at varying restoration stages, from mudflats to nearly restored wetlands, employing sensitive DNA and protein isolation and quantification techniques supported by a fluorometer grant from Turner BioSystems. Rech has made significant contributions to the scientific literature with key publications such as Hu et al., "Crystal Structure of ModA, a molybdate transport protein, complexed with molybdate and tungstate" (Nature Structural Biology, 1997); Schroeder et al., "Purification and characterization of the selenate reductase from Thauera selenatis" (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1997); Rech et al., "Properties of the Periplasmic ModA Molybdate-Binding Protein of Escherichia coli" (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1996); Rech et al., "Regulation of the Molybdate Transport Operon, modABCD, of Escherichia coli in Response to Molybdate Availability" (Journal of Bacteriology, 1995); and Macy et al., "Thauera selenatis gen. nov., sp. nov., a Member of the Beta Subclass of Proteobacteria with a Novel type of Anaerobic Respiration" (International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, 1993). Additional works include educational papers like Komives et al., "Laboratory Experiment on Gene Subcloning For Chemical Engineering Students" (Chemical Engineering Education, 2004).