Chris Vriezen

Dr. J.A.C. (Chris) Vriezen is a general microbiologist by training with a very strong interest in soil microbial ecology and molecular biology. Currently, he is building a research program for prospecting antibiotics discovery. In this process, he is integrating theory in microbial ecology, modeling, and microbial genomics to identify cues important in the production of toxins from natural microbial isolates from the Smith College MacLeish Field Station in Whately, Massachusetts. He always believed that undergraduate students can do novel hypothesis-driven research in a laboratory course. Vriezen's teaching and research are focused on the implementation of research in laboratory courses in the hope of providing more opportunities for traditionally underprivileged student populations. Therefore, he has employed the opportunities at Smith College as a scholar-teacher, developing an exciting research program accessible to students at many levels and from all backgrounds.

Two recent publications are: Aoi Ogawa et al. 2022 and, Brianna McCall and Vriezen, 2021.

Publications

1. Julie Xiong, Vriezen JAC. 2024. Draft genome sequences of exDNase producing soil isolates antagonist to strain Staphylococcus CWZ226. In Prep.
2. Aoi Ogawa, Christophe Golé, Maria Bermudez, Odrine Habarugira, Gabrielle Joslin, Taylor McCain, Autumn Mineo, Jennifer Wise, Julie Xiong, Katherine Yan and Jan A.C. Vriezen. 2022.^. ExDNases facilitate Antagonism and Coexistence in Bacterial Competitor-Sensing-Interference-Competition. Appl. Environ. Microbio. Vol88, No23.
3. McCall BL, Vriezen JAC. 2021. Draft genome sequences of Staphylococcus sp. strain CWZ226, of unknown origin, and Pseudomonas sp. strain CVAP#3, antagonistic to strain CWZ226. Microbiol. Resour. Announc. 10:e00688-21.
4. Consequences of elevated salt concentrations on expression profiles in the rhizobium S. meliloti 1021 likely involved in heat and desiccation stress, Vriezen J.A.C., Caroline M. Finn, and Klaus F. Nüsslein, 2016. In: Stress and Environmental control of Gene Expression in Bacteria. F.J. de Bruijn (ed). Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.
5. Appearance of Membrane Compromised, Viable But Not Culturable and Culturable Rhizobial cells as a consequence of Desiccation, Vriezen J.A.C. and F.J. de Bruijn. 2015. In: Biological Nitrogen Fixation. F.J. de Bruijn (ed). John Wiley and Sons.

6. Moulin L. Agnieszka Klonowska, Bournaud Caroline, Kristina Booth, Jan A.C. Vriezen, Rémy Melkonian, Euan K. James, J. Peter W. Young, Gilles Bena, Loren Hauser, Miriam Land, Nikos Kyrpides, David Bruce, Patrick Chain, Alex Copeland, Sam Pitluck, Tanja Woyke, Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, Jim Bristow, Margaret Riley. 2014. Complete Genome sequence of Burkholderia phymatum STM815T, a broad host range and efficient nitrogen-fixing symbiont of Mimosa species. Standard in Genomics Sciences Vol 9(3), No 3.
7. Vriezen J.A.C., F.J. de Bruijn, and K. R. Nüsslein. 2013. Identification and Characterization of a NaCl responsive Locus involved in survival during desiccation in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 79(18):5693.
8. Vriezen J.A.C., F.J. de Bruijn and K. Nüsslein. 2012. Desiccation induces Viable But Non-Culturable Cells in Sinorhizobium meliloti. AMB Express 2:6
9. Doherty, M., M Tamura, J.A.C. Vriezen, G. McManus, and L. Katz. 2010. Diversity of Oligotrichia and Choreotrichia ciliates in coastal marine sediments and in overlying plankton. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 76(12):3924-3935.
10. Vriezen J.A.C., M. Valliere and M. Riley. 2009. The evolution of reduced microbial killing. Genome. Biol. Evol. 1(1):400-408.
11. Gillor O., J.A.C. Vriezen and M. Riley 2008. The role of SOS boxes in enteric bacteriocin regulation. Microbiol. 154:1783-1792.
12. Vriezen J.A.C., F.J. de Bruijn and K. Nüsslein. 2007. Responses of rhizobia to desiccation, a review. Appl. Environ. Microbiol 73(11):3451-3459.
13. Vriezen J.A.C., F.J. de Bruijn and K. Nüsslein. 2006. Desiccation responses and survival of Sinorhizobium meliloti USDA1021 in relation to growth phase, temperature, chloride and sulfate availability. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 172-178.
14. Vriezen J.A.C., Responses of Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 to water stress. University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2005.
15. de Bruijn F.J., F. Ampe, J. Batut, H. Berges, M. Davalos, M.E. Davey, J. Gouzy, D. Kahn, E. Kiss, E. Lauber, C. Liebe, A. Milcamps, C. Ronson, P. Struffi, J. Sullivan, J. Trzbiatowski, and C. Vriezen. 2002. Genetics and genomics of stress-induced gene expression in rhizobia. In: Nitrogen Fixation: Global perspectives. T.M. Finan et al. (eds.) CABI Publishing.
16. Phillips D.A., Sandee E.S., Vriezen J.A.C., de Bruijn F.J., Le Rudulier D. and Joseph C.M. 1998. A new genetic locus in Sinorhizobium meliloti is involved in stachydrine utilization. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64(10):3954-60. 
17. Osinga R., Lewis W.E., Wopereis J.L.M., Vriezen J.A.C. & van Duyl F.C. 1995. Effects of the sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum on oxygen uptake and sulfate reduction in experimental benthic systems under increasing organic loading. Ophelia41: 221-236.