In our lab, we are interested in identifying how cells in a multicellular organism interpret signals and make decisions, and how the decision-making process adheres to known engineering principles. The ultimate goal is to translate our knowledge to applications such as medicine, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering. Find out more…
Recent and Important News
Ph.D student Razeen Shaikh earns departmental fellowship!
Razeen Shaikh was recently awarded the Paul & Ellen Deisler Chemical Engineering Fellowship for 2023-2024. As described by the department, “This award is a testament to Razeen’s excellent work and success while at Texas A&M.” Congratulations Razeen!
Systems biology optimzation paper accepted!
A recent manuscript submission from the Reeves lab has been accepted to the journal Bioinformatics! The paper, co-first authored by recently-graduated Dr. Prasad Bandodkar and current Ph.D. student Razeen Shaikh, is titled “ISRES+: An improved evolutionary strategy for function minimization to estimate the free parameters of systems biology models.” The paper has not yet been put into its final format, but can be viewed in a pre-published form at the preprint server, bioRχiv here.
Paper submitted on the dynamics of BMP signaling
A team of researchers from the Reeves lab, in collaboration with the Williams lab at NCSU, has recently submitted a paper analyzing the dynamics of the BMP pathway in early Drosophila embryos. The manuscript, co-first authored by former student Hadel Al Asafen and former postdoc Aydin Beseli, is titled “Dynamics of BMP signaling in the early Drosophila embryo.” The manuscript was submitted to the journal Biology Open and can be found online at here at the preprint server, bioRχiv.
Prasad Bandodkar has graduated with his Ph.D.!
Today Prasad Bandodkar defended his PhD thesis, titled “Computational studies of the patterning systems in early Drosophila embryos.” After graduation, he will be working as an Image Analysis Scientist with Bio-Techne in the San Francisco Bay Area. Congratulations Prasad!
Paper published on quantificaiton of protein binders
In a recent collaboration with the Rao Lab at NCSU, the Reeves lab has recently published a paper in ACS Omega titled, “Experimental and analytical framework for ‘mix-and-read’ assays based on split luciferase.” Former postgraduate worker Nikki McArthur, co-advised by Dr. Reeves and Dr. Rao, was the first author. You can read more about the paper, and how it integrates into the research being done by the Reeves lab, in this press release.
Razeen Shaikh wins best poster!
Ph.D. student Razeen Shaikh won best poster for her poster presentation in the 9th annual Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA) Symposium. The symposium showcases the research from the Chemical Engineering department here at Texas A&M. Congratulations Razeen!
Shelby Morton joins the lab!
Shelby Morton, a first-year Ph.D. student from the Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, has joined the lab. He will be working on mesasuring the dynamics of the BMP gradient in live embryos. He will be focusing on in particular on the mechanisms that connect transient signaling to sustained gene expression. Welcome Shelby!
Sadia Dima joins the lab!
Earlier this month, first-year Ph.D. student Sadia Siddika Dima joined the lab. She will be working on global measurements of the Dorsal gradient in live embryos. She will be focusing on measuring the Dorsal gradient in mutant embryos in particular. Welcome Sadia!
GSA spotlight on Ph.D. student Elle Rooney!
Last month, an interview with Ph.D. student Lossie (Elle) Rooney was posted to “Genes to Genomes,” a blog maintained by the Genetics Society of America (GSA). This blog post is part of a series in which they spotlight members of GSA’s Early Career Leadership Committees. Read the blog here. Great work Elle!
Two students join the lab!
Last week, first-year Chemical Engineering Ph.D. students Hung-Yuan (Zeke) Chen and Razeen Shaikh joined the lab. They will be working on experimental and modeling approaches to studying the BMP pathway. Welcome Zeke and Razeen!
Paper published on embryo penetrating peptides
The Rao and Menegatti labs (CBE, NCSU), in a collaboration between the Reeves lab, have published a paper in Bioconjugate Chemistry. In this work, Dr. John Bowen screened for membrane penetrating peptides using Drosophila embryos. After selecting the best-performing peptide, he showed that it can penetrate not only Drosophila embryos, but also human stem cells. Dr. John Bowen is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the CBE department at NCSU, co-advised by Drs. Rao and Menegatti. The Reeves lab lent expertise in Drosophila biology. Allison Schloop from the Reeves lab was co-author. Congratulations John and Allison! Read more here.
Reeves lab moves to Texas A&M University!
Even during the pandemic of 2020, there can be some good news! We are pleased to announce that the Reeves Lab has moved to Texas A&M in College Station, TX. We have joined the Chemical Engineering Department, and are also part of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics. Texas A&M is a fantastic university with the largest student population in the country. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Dynamics of BMP signaling. Note the broad, weak signal early, that refines into a narrow, intense signal by the end.