Jennifer A. Surtees PhD
Jennifer A. Surtees
PhD
Professor; Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and STEM Outreach
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Cell Cycle; Community Based Participatory Research; DNA Replication, Recombination and Repair; Genome Integrity; Genomics and proteomics; Infectious Disease; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular genetics; Protein Function and Structure; Public Health; Team Science; Viral Pathogenesis
Professional Summary:
In my laboratory, we are interested in the general problem of maintaining genome stability. To this end, we focus on two distinct aspects of genome stability: 1) the roles of mismatch (MMR) proteins in multiple pathways for DNA repair and 2) the manner in which regulation of dNTP pools, through the regulation of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) activity, impacts genome integrity.
1) MMR proteins recognize many different types of DNA lesions and then target the lesion for the appropriate repair pathway. We are interested in the mechanism(s) by which recognition of a lesion is translated into the appropriate DNA repair pathway, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. Is it through differential protein-nucleic acid or protein-protein interactions? To address these questions as well as the regulation of DNA repair pathway selection, we use a combination of genetic, biochemical and biophysical approaches.
2) RNR activity modulates the level of dNTPs that are available in a cell at a given time. Higher levels of dNTPs lead to higher mutation rates. We are interested in the various ways in which misregulated dNTP pools might affect cellular metabolism and affect the stability of the genome.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Toronto (2001)
- MS, Molecular Biology, University of Toronto (1996)
- BS, Genetics, University of Western Ontario (1993)
Employment:
- Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and STEM Outreach, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2023-present)
- Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2023-present)
- Associate Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2014–2023)
- Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2007–2014)
Awards and Honors:
- Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Faculty Fellow (2023)
- 2020 Community Service Award for Excellence in Promoting Inclusion and Diversity (2020)
Research Expertise:
- Mismatch repair and genome stability: In my laboratory, we are interested in the general problem of maintaining genome stability. To this end, we focus on two distinct aspects of genome stability: 1) the roles of mismatch (MMR) proteins in multiple pathways for DNA repair and 2) the manner in which regulation of dNTP pools, through the regulation of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) activity, impacts genome integrity. 1) MMR proteins recognize many different types of DNA lesions and then target the lesion for the appropriate repair pathway. We are interested in the mechanism(s) by which recognition of a lesion is translated into the appropriate DNA repair pathway, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. Is it through differential protein-nucleic acid or protein-protein interactions? To address these questions as well as the regulation of DNA repair pathway selection, we use a combination of genetic, biochemical and biophysical approaches. Our long-term goal is to elucidate the mechanisms that bridge damage recognition and DNA repair. 2) RNR activity modulates the level of dNTPs that are available in a cell at a given time. Higher levels of dNTPs lead to higher mutation rates. We are interested in the various ways in which misregulated dNTP pools might affect cellular metabolism and affect the stability of the genome.
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- September 2024–June 2029
Characterizing the role of Elevated dNTP pools in sensitizing the replisome
NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator
$2,448,745 - September 2023–August 2027
Role of Msh2-Msh3 in determining outcomes in pathways of DNA metabolism
National Science Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$400,000 - September 2021–July 2026
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Western New York
New York State Department of Health `
Role: Principal Investigator
$5,700,000 - September 2022–February 2025
Integrated Ecosystems for Pandemic Prevention
NSF
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,000,000 - June 2021–June 2023
Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to discover and assess genetic factors that influence TNR dynamics
Pfizer Inc.
Role: Principal Investigator
$569,735 - June 2021–December 2021
Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County
Erie County Department of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
$250,000 - January 2015–December 2018
Genomic identification of pathways affectd by altered dNTP metabolism(ACS RSG-14-235-01)
American Cancer Society
Role: Principal Investigator
$792,000 - June 2009–November 2015
Roles for mismatch repair proteins in maintaining genome stability (NIH 1 R01 GM087459-01A1)
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,480,000
Journal Articles:
- Kantartzis A, Williams GM, Balakrishnan L, Roberts RL, Surtees JA, Bambara RA, Surtees J. (2012) Msh2-msh3 interferes with okazaki fragment processing to promote trinucleotide repeat expansions. Cell Rep (Aug), 2(2): 216-222.
- Medina-Rivera M, Phelps S, Sridharan M, Becker J, Lamb NA, Kumar C, Sutton MD, Bielinsky A, Balakrishnan L, Surtees JA. (2023) Elevated MSH2 MSH3 expression interferes with DNA metabolism in vivo. Nucleic acids research (Dec), 51(22): 12185-12206. doi:10.1093/nar/gkad934
- Segelhurst E, Bard JE, Pillsbury AN, Alam MM, Lamb NA, Zhu C, Pohlman A, Boccolucci A, Emerson J, Marzullo BJ, Yergeau DA, Nowak NJ, Bradley IM, Surtees JA, Ye Y. (2023) Robust Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Whole-Genome Sequencing from Wastewater with a Nonselective Virus Concentration Method. ACS ES&T water (Apr), 3(4): 954-962. doi:10.1021/acsestwater.2c00456
- Lamb NA, Bard JE, Loll-Krippleber R, Brown GW, Surtees JA. (2022) Complex mutation profiles in mismatch repair and ribonucleotide reductase mutants reveal novel repair substrate specificity of MutS homolog (MSH) complexes. Genetics (Jul), 221(4). doi:10.1093/genetics/iyac092
- Lamb NA, Bard JE, Buck MJ, Surtees JA. (2021) A selection-based next generation sequencing approach to develop robust, genotype-specific mutation profiles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. G3 (Bethesda, Md.) (Mar). doi:10.1093/g3journal/jkab099
- Surtees JA, Small SK, Tripp JN, Shanahan LE. (2021) Microscopic Communities: Interdisciplinary Exploration of Microbes in the Classroom. Journal of microbiology & biology education (Jan), 22(1). doi:10.1128/jmbe.v22i1.2207
- Williams GM, Petrides AK, Balakrishnan L, Surtees JA. (2020) Tracking expansions of stable and threshold length trinucleotide repeat tracts in vivo and in vitro using Saccahromyces cerevisiae. Methods in Molecular Biology (Jan), 2056: 25-68.
- Surtees JA, Russo T, Burnidge, AH. (2020) Mutation and Migration: Understanding and interpreting the meaning in our genomes. Perspectives from Biochemistry, Genetics, Infectious Disease and Dance. Transforming Global Health: Interdisciplinary Challenges, Perspectives, and Strategies (Jan)213-228.
- Subramaniam R, Lamb NA, Hwang Y, Johengen L, Surtees JA. (2019) Extracting and Measuring dNTP Pools in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods Mol Biol (Jan), 1999: 103-127.
- Eichmiller R, Medina-Rivera M, DeSanto R, Minca E, Kim C, Holland C, Seol JH, Schmit M, Oramus D, Smith J, Gallardo IF, Finkelstein IJ, Lee SE, Surtees JA. (2018) Coordination of Rad1-Rad10 interactions with Msh2-Msh3, Saw1 and RPA is essential for functional 3' non-homologous tail removal. Nucleic Acids Res (Jun), 46(10): 5075-5096.
- Seol JH, Holland C, Li X, Kim C, Li F, Medina-Rivera M, Eichmiller R, Gallardo IF, Finkelstein IJ, Hasty P, Shim EY, Surtees JA, Lee SE. (2018) Distinct roles of XPF-ERCC1 and Rad1-Rad10-Saw1 in replication-coupled and uncoupled inter-strand crosslink repair. Nat Commun (May), 9(1): 2025-2025.
- Williams GM, Surtees JA. (2018) Measuring Dynamic Behavior of Trinucleotide Repeat Tracts In Vivo in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods Mol Biol (Jan), 1672: 439-470.
- Al-Sweel N, Raghavan V, Dutta A, Ajith VP, Di Vietro L, Khondakar N, Manhart CM, Surtees JA, Nishant KT, Alani E. (2017) mlh3 mutations in baker's yeast alter meiotic recombination outcomes by increasing noncrossover events genome-wide. PLoS Genet (Aug), 13(8): 1006974-1006974.
- Manhart CM, Ni X, White MA, Ortega J, Surtees JA, Alani E. (2017) The mismatch repair and meiotic recombination endonuclease Mlh1-Mlh3 is activated by polymer formation and can cleave DNA substrates in trans. PLoS Biol (Apr), 15(4): 2001164-2001164.
- Rashev M, Surtees JA, Guarné A. (2017) Large-scale production of recombinant Saw1 in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif (Mar), 133: 75-80.
- Brown MW, Kim Y, Williams GM, Huck JD, Surtees JA, Finkelstein IJ. (2016) Dynamic DNA binding licenses a repair factor to bypass roadblocks in search of DNA lesions. Nat Commun (Feb), 7: 10607-10607.
- Williams GM, Surtees JA. (2015) MSH3 Promotes Dynamic Behavior of Trinucleotide Repeat Tracts In Vivo. Genetics (Jul), 200(3): 737-754.
- Kumar C, Eichmiller R, Wang B, Williams GM, Bianco PR, Surtees JA. (2014) ATP binding and hydrolysis by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Msh2-Msh3 are differentially modulated by mismatch and double-strand break repair DNA substrates. DNA Repair (Amst) (Jun), 18: 18-30.
- Rogacheva MV, Manhart CM, Chen C, Guarne A, Surtees J, Alani E, Surtees JA. (2014) Mlh1-Mlh3, a Meiotic Crossover and DNA Mismatch Repair Factor, Is a Msh2-Msh3-stimulated Endonuclease. J Biol Chem (Feb), 289(9): 5664-5673.
- Kumar C, Williams GM, Havens B, Dinicola MK, Surtees JA. (2013) Distinct Requirements within the Msh3 Nucleotide Binding Pocket for Mismatch and Double-Strand Break Repair. J Mol Biol (Jun), 425(11): 1881-1898.
- Li F, Dong J, Eichmiller R, Holland C, Minca E, Prakash R, Sung P, Yong Shim E, Surtees JA, Eun Lee S. (2013) Role of Saw1 in Rad1/Rad10 complex assembly at recombination intermediates in budding yeast. EMBO J (Feb), 32(3): 461-472.
- Kumar C, Piacente SC, Sibert J, Bukata AR, O'Connor J, Alani E, Surtees JA, Surtees J. (2011) Multiple factors insulate Msh2-Msh6 mismatch repair activity from defects in Msh2 domain I. J Mol Biol (Aug), 411(4): 765-780.
- Xu X, Page JL, Surtees JA, Liu H, Lagedrost S, Lu Y, Bronson R, Alani E, Nikitin AY, Weiss RS, Surtees J. (2008) Broad overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase genes in mice specifically induces lung neoplasms. Cancer Res (Apr), 68(8): 2652-2660.
- Gorman J, Chowdhury A, Surtees JA, Shimada J, Reichman DR, Alani E, Greene EC, Surtees J. (2007) Dynamic basis for one-dimensional DNA scanning by the mismatch repair complex Msh2-Msh6. Mol Cell (Nov), 28(3): 359-370.
- Lee SD, Surtees JA, Alani E, Surtees J. (2007) Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSH2-MSH3 and MSH2-MSH6 complexes display distinct requirements for DNA binding domain I in mismatch recognition. J Mol Biol (Feb), 366(1): 53-66.
- Surtees JA, Alani E, Surtees J. (2006) Mismatch repair factor MSH2-MSH3 binds and alters the conformation of branched DNA structures predicted to form during genetic recombination. J Mol Biol (Jul), 360(3): 523-536.
- Jiang J, Bai L, Surtees JA, Gemici Z, Wang MD, Alani E, Surtees J. (2005) Detection of high-affinity and sliding clamp modes for MSH2-MSH6 by single-molecule unzipping force analysis. Mol Cell (Dec), 20(5): 771-781.
- Surtees JA, Alani E. (2004) Replication factors license exonuclease I in mismatch repair. Mol Cell (Jul), 15(2): 164-166.
- Surtees JA, Argueso JL, Alani E, Surtees J. (2004) Mismatch repair proteins: key regulators of genetic recombination. Cytogenet Genome Res (Jan), 107(3-4): 146-159.
- Surtees JA, Funnell BE, Surtees J. (2003) Plasmid and chromosome traffic control: how ParA and ParB drive partition. Curr Top Dev Biol (Jan), 56: 145-180.
- Surtees JA, Funnell BE, Surtees J. (2001) The DNA binding domains of P1 ParB and the architecture of the P1 plasmid partition complex. J Biol Chem (Apr), 276(15): 12385-12394.
- Bouet JY, Surtees JA, Funnell BE, Surtees J. (2000) Stoichiometry of P1 plasmid partition complexes. J Biol Chem (Mar), 275(11): 8213-8219.
- Surtees JA, Funnell BE, Surtees J. (1999) P1 ParB domain structure includes two independent multimerization domains. J Bacteriol (Oct), 181(19): 5898-5908.
- Lamb NA, Bard JE, Loll-Krippleber R, Brown GW, Surtees JA. (1900) Complex Mutation Profiles in Mismatch Repair and Ribonucleotide Reductase Mutations Reveal Novel Repair Substrate Specificity of MutS Homolog (MSH) Complexes. (Jan)
- Lamb NA*, Bard JE*, Pohlman A, Boccolucci A, Yergeau D, Marzullo BJ, Pope C, Burstein G, Tomaszewski J, Nowak NJ, Surtees JA. (1900) Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County, New York. (Jan)
Professional Memberships:
- Genetics Society of America
- AAAS
Presentations:
- "Environmental Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and other pandemic threats" UB Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Seminar Series (2023)
- "Msh2-Msh3-mediated DNA mismatch repair: a tipping point between genome stability and genome instability" UB Department of Biological Sciences Seminar Series (2023)
- "The Msh2-Msh3 mismatch repair complex in the balance between genome stability and genome instability" International Conference on Molecular Medicine, Reproduction and Endocrinology - 2023 (2023)
- "Tracking COVID-19 in WNY through genomic sequencing: challenges and opportunities for future pathogen detection" Center for Computational Research High School Bioinformatics Summer Boot Camp (2023)
- "Misinformation in Social Media and What to do About It" Center for Information Integrity Symposium (2023)
- "Looking for a Signature of Infection in Wastewater and Sharing it with our Community" UB Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Days (2023)
- "Tracking COVID-19 in WNY through genomic sequencing: challenges and opportunities for future pathogen detection" Infectious Disease Grand Rounds (2023)
- "Center for Ecosystems Data Integrations (CEDI) and Pandemic Early Warning Systems" Covid Information Commons Webinar series (2023)
- "Maintaining balance in DNA replication and repair fidelity, genome stability and beyond" School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech Seminar series (2023)
- "Chromosome Stability Conference" Chromosome Stability Conference (2022)
- "Mismatch repair: a tipping point between genome stability and instability" Temple University Department of Chemistry seminar series (2022)
- "Role of Msh2-Msh3 in promoting genomic stability and instability" Biology seminar series (2022)
- "Career mentor" University of Toronto Molecular Genetic Career Development Symposium (2022)
- "Finding and keeping track of COVID-19 in our Western New York communities through genomic sequencing" UB Newman Center Bridge Lecture Series (2022)
- "Harrington Lecture panel discussion with Dr. Drew Weissman - co-organizer, moderator and panelist" Harrington Lecture panel discussion with Dr. Drew Weissman (2022)
- "Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Western New York" Computational and Data-enabled Science and Engineering Days at UB (2022)
- "Practicing responsible science through community engagement" UB - Humanities to the Rescue. (2022)
- "Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Western New York – tracing our pandemic in (almost) real time" UB Dept. Pathology and Anatomical Sciences Grand Rounds (2022)
- "Pandemic detection and surveillance data roundtable" Atlantic Council Roundtable (2022)
- "Practicing responsible science through community engagement" UB Center for Information Integrity Kickoff Symposium (2022)
- "Mismatch repair: a tipping point between genome stability and instability" Part of webinar series at the Basic and Applied science Institute at EJUST (Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology) (2021)
- "Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County highlights the need for regional surveillance" UB Microbiome Center seminar series (2021)
- "Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County highlights the need for regional surveillance" GEM work-in-progress seminar series (2021)
- "Medical Posthumanities: Governing health beyond the human" Virtual Workshop (2021)
- "Mismatch repair protects cellular fitness in the presence of altered dNTP pools" R3 group Cornell University (2021)
- "SARS-CoV-2 in Western New York" Boldly Buffalo fundraiser campaign event (2021)
- "Covid-19 vaccines - primer for home healthcare providers" NY State Association of Health Care Providers (HCP) chapter meeting (2021)
- "Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County" UB mini-medical School Event focused on SARS-CoV-2 and COvid-19 (2021)
- "Microscopic Communities: Interdisciplinary Exploration of Microbes in the Classroom" Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education webinar - part of limited series of webinars from author of recently published papers in the journal (2021)
- "Conversations in Science: Covid-19 vaccines" Buffalo Museum of Science Conversation in Science series (2021)
Service Activities:
- 4 evening series of workshops related to genomic literacy and misinformation; Co-organizer Genomics literacy workshop series at Delavan-Grider Community Center (2023)
- This program supports the implementation of the President’s Advisory Council on Race recommendations related to curriculum and pedagogy.; Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Faculty Fellow (2023)
- This is part of a UB-University of Zimbabwe partnership that was extended to include 7 universities throughout Zimbabwe. Faculty from Zimbabwe spent 5 weeks at UB for leadership training that will create a stronger partnership and accelerate ongoing projects like the Health Galaxy Park and the University Network Partnership. I serve as a faculty mentor for Tawanda Tinago from Chinhoyi University of Technology both here in Buffalo and after his return to Zimbabwe.; Faculty mentor for the Zimbabwe Emerging Faculty Development Program (2023–present)
- Wastewater demo was used at ~ 20 community engagement tabling events over the course of the year, including the Buffalo Museum of Science (2x) Juneteenth, UB's May 14 Memorial event and several community and school events.; Developed hands-on demonstration for wastewater for the public (2023)
- Met with trainees to discuss manuscript review and to discuss mock reviews; Mentor for GSA reviewer training program (2023)
- American Cancer Society panel, DNA Mechanisms in Cancer; Chair (2023–present)
- Thesis Committee Member for Alexsandra Lenhard - Microbiology & Immunology; Thesis Committee Member (2022–present)
- External examiner, Ph.D. defense for Murat Can Kalem, Department of Microbiology & Immunology; External examiner, Ph.D. defense for Murat Can Kalem, Department of Microbiology & Immunology (2022)
- Lead – sub-committee for community engagement for JSMBS Strategic Planning; Lead – sub-committee for community engagement for JSMBS Strategic Planning (2022–present)
- Member – subcommittee for biomedical education for JSMBS Strategic Planning; Member – subcommittee for biomedical education for JSMBS Strategic Planning (2022–present)
- UB Center for Information Integrity Executive Board member; UB Center for Information Integrity Executive Board member (2022–present)
- Organized and coordinated panel discussion following Photograph 51 performance at Jewish Repertory Theatre; Organizer (2021–present)
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute Board member; Clinical and Translational Science Institute Board member (2021–present)
- Co-organizer Annual Buffalo DNA Replication and Repair Symposium - Regional/National conference held in Buffalo; Co-organizer Annual Buffalo DNA Replication and Repair Symposium (2021–present)
- American Cancer Society panel, DNA Mechanisms in Cancer; Co-chair (2021–2022)
- Co-organizer of Medical Posthumanities: Regulating Health beyond the human - International virtual workshop; Co-organizer (2021)
- Founding member of UB Center for Information Integrity; Founding member of UB Center for Information Integrity (2021–present)
- Organized GEM Microbiome Symposium (2021–present)
- Tenure and Promotion (2018–2021)
- Handle review of manuscripts related to genomic stability for GENETICS - ~10-12 manuscripts per year.; Associate Editor (2016–present)
- Co-director of the Genome, Environment and Microbiome Community of Excellence Genome stability and genetic diversity (genetic variation versus genetic mutation) are fundamental questions that have broad implications for the general public. However, even as we, as scientists, push the boundaries of technology and knowledge with respect to these issues, we have failed to communicate these advances and their meaning to the general public in a broad-based manner. I am a founding co-leader and current co-director of a new UB Community of Excellence known as The Genome, Environment and Microbiome (GEM). This trans-University community is charged with integrating research, education and community engagement to address a major challenge to society. GEM’s mission consists of two equally important components:1) to advance genome and microbiome science at UB and 2) to promote genomic literacy at all levels (K-12, UB undergraduate, graduate and professional education and the broader Western New York (WNY) community (www.buffalo.edu/gem). A major goal of the Community is to engage the entire University, especially faculty and students in the arts, humanities and social sciences, to develop innovative programs and performances to attract and inform even those who do not naturally gravitate toward science.; Co-Director (2015–present)
- Mechanisms of Genetic Inheritance;; Panel Member (2012)
- Mechanisms of Genetic Inheritance;; Panel Member (2011)
- NSF - MCB; Panel reviewer
- American Cancer Society - TLC panel; Panel reviewer
- American Cancer Society - Genetic Mechanisms in Cancer; Vice Chair
- MD/PhD Admissions committee
- Graduate Affairs Committee
- Faculty Work in Progress series
- Thesis committee - Natalie Jay
- Thesis Committee - Mohamed Sharif
- Thesis committee - Shuhang Dai - Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Thesis committee - Anna Stovall - Microbiology and Immunology
- Thesis committee - Nick Clark - Structural Biology
- Coordinate GEM Work-in-progress seminar series
- Student Progress Committee
- Honors College
- Mentoring committee - to develop mentor training for faculty
- Bias Advisory Team - The committee will provide a timely administrative response to national and local events that may impact the medical and graduate students of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
- Local, regional, national and international media communications; Media communications
- Coordinated effort to develop vaccine education materials for the community and for K-12 students; Organizer
- Reviewed manuscripts for NAR, NAR Methods, Yeast, Computational and Structural Biotechnology and BBA - Protein and Proteomics; Reviewer