Rate My Professor Sabine Rech

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).