Mary Tran-Gyamfi

Member of the Technical Staff

(925) 294-2513

Sandia National Laboratories, California
P.O. Box 969
Livermore, CA 94551-0969

Biography

In the past 10 years, Mary Tran-Gyamfi has worked on many different projects. In studying plants, algae, fungi and yeast, she has been able to understand the complexities and the roles that differing organisms can play in helping to build Sandia’s bioenergy program. She works in the bioconversion of algal carbohydrate and proteins, engineers and screens yeast to produce terpenes, and runs algae testbed experiments in three 1000L ponds to test algae growth under varying conditions.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree: Biological Sciences (1996)

Relevant Prior Positions

Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratory (2008-Present)

Member of multiple algae project including carbon capture, algae bloom, and biomass conversion projects
Collaborates with the USDA to introduce cellulase expression into model plants

Biomedical Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2000-2008)

Characterization and annotation of human zinc finger genes
Member of the Joint Genome Institute’s Mapping Group involved in annotating human Chromosome 5, 16 and 19
Member of the human genome and microbial sequencing group

Education Volunteer, Ghana, West Africa, United States Peace Corps (1997-1999)

Taught science and mathematics to high school students
Developed curriculum and designed educational materials to prepare students for national exams

Publications

Sale, K.L., Rodriguez, A., Light, Y.K., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Hirakawa, M., George, A., Geiselman, G.M., Martinez, S., & Martinez, S. (2022). Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Biological Breakdown and Conversion of Lignin. https://doi.org/10.2172/1891189 Publication ID: 80282
Kirby, J., Geiselman, G.M., Yaegashi, J., Kim, J., Zhuang, X., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Prahl, J.P., Sundstrom, E.R., Gao, Y., Munoz, N., Burnum-Johnson, K.E., Benites, V.T., Baidoo, E.E.K., Fuhrmann, A., Seibel, K., Webb-Robertson, B.J.M., Zucker, J., Nicora, C.D., Tanjore, D., … Gladden, J.M. (2021). Further engineering of R. toruloides for the production of terpenes from lignocellulosic biomass. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-01950-w Publication ID: 124280
Harmon, B.N., Light, Y.K., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Schoeniger, J.S., Murthy, N., Han, H., & Han, H. (2019). Controlling the Activity of Gene Editing Tools [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1643344 Publication ID: 66414
Lane, T., Beck, N.L., Lane, P., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Fisher, C.L., & Fisher, C.L. (2018). Innate and designed resistance to algal pond crashes [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1592625 Publication ID: 59728
Liu, F., Wu, W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Zhuang, X., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2018). Development of an E. coli consortium for the bioconversion of multi-substrate biomass streams to advanced biofuels [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1502689 Publication ID: 61175
Fisher, C.L., Lane, P., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Beck, N.L., Mahan, K.M., Lane, T., & Lane, T. (2018). Investigating the chemical and biological landscape of microalgae cultures to mitigate pond crashes [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1498632 Publication ID: 60946
Fisher, C.L., Lane, P., Poorey, K., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Beck, N.L., Mahan, K.M., Lane, T., & Lane, T. (2018). Investigating the chemical and biological landscape of microalgae cultures to mitigate pond crashes [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1498616 Publication ID: 60930
Liu, F., Wu, W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Zhuang, X., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2017). Bioconversion of distillers’ grains hydrolysates to advanced biofuels by an Escherichia coli co-culture. Microbial Cell Factories, 16(1), pp. 1-43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-017-0804-8 Publication ID: 54157
Monroe, E., Liu, F., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., George, A., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2017). Production upgrading and testing of fusel alcohols as high performance fuels from whole algae bioconversion [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1483214 Publication ID: 54339
Monroe, E., Liu, F., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., George, A., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2017). Production upgrading and testing of fusel alcohols as high performance fuels from whole algae bioconversion [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1483213 Publication ID: 54340
Wardak, Z., Varman, A.M., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Davis, R.W., Gladden, J.M., & Gladden, J.M. (2017). Microbial production of a precursor for biodegradable plastic [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1508463 Publication ID: 57558
Monroe, E., Davis, R.W., George, A., Liu, F., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2017). Production and Upgrading of Fusel Alcohols from Biomass Hydrolysates [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1462520 Publication ID: 57401
Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Manuel, J., Monroe, E., Liu, F., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2017). Integrated bioconversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins to liquid fuels and intermediate value products [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1458229 Publication ID: 56718
Liu, F., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Davis, R.W., Wu, W., & Wu, W. (2017). One-pot bioconversion of distillers? grains to advanced biofuels [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1456457 Publication ID: 55676
Monroe, E., Liu, F., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Davis, R.W., & Davis, R.W. (2017). Production Blending and Upgrading of Advanced Renewable Fuels for the Co-optimization of Fuels and Engines [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1456466 Publication ID: 55682
Marquez, J., Zhuang, X., Kilian, O., Monroe, E., Masakazu, I., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Liu, F., Davis, R.W., Skerker, J.M., George, A., Gladden, J.M., & Gladden, J.M. (2017). Monoterpene production by the carotenogenic yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1456545 Publication ID: 55818
Wu, W., Davis, R.W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2016). Cofactor engineering of ketol-acid reductoisomerase (IlvC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (YqhD) improves the fusel alcohol yield in algal protein anaerobic fermentation. Algal Research, 19(C), pp. 162-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2016.08.013 Publication ID: 48739
Davis, R.W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Wu, W., Liu, F., Jaryenneh, J., & Jaryenneh, J. (2016). Comprehensive bioconversion of algae biomass to liquid fuels and intermediate value products [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1529854 Publication ID: 51600
Geng, H., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Sale, K.L., Lane, T., & Lane, T. (2016). Substructural details of chemical driven shifts in the Nannochloropsis salina microbiota [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1376782 Publication ID: 51748
Geng, H., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Sale, K.L., Lane, T., & Lane, T. (2016). Utilizing Biocomplexity to Propagate Stable Algal Blooms in Open System [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1375582 Publication ID: 51637
Sale, K.L., Geng, H., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Lane, T., Yu, E.T., & Yu, E.T. (2016). Changes in the structure of the microbial community associated with Nannochloropsis salina following treatments with antibiotics and bioactive compounds. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7(JUL). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.01155 Publication ID: 97964
Lane, T., Geng, H., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Sale, K.L., Yu, E.T., & Yu, E.T. (2016). Longitudinal Analysis of Microbiota in Microalga Nannochloropsis salina Cultures. Microbial Ecology, 72(1), pp. 14-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-016-0746-4 Publication ID: 48532
Davis, R.W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Wu, W., Lane, T., Pate, R.C., Wu, B.C., & Wu, B.C. (2015). Integrated bioconversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins to liquid fuels and intermediate value products [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1333478 Publication ID: 46072
Hadjilambris, A., Wu, W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Wu, B.C., Davis, R.W., Liao, J., Nagle, N.J., & Nagle, N.J. (2015). Bioconversion of Algae Biomass for Fuels and Bioproducts [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1340138 Publication ID: 44505
Davis, R.W., Wu, W., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Jaryenneh, J., Wu, B.C., & Wu, B.C. (2015). Bioconversion of Algae Biomass for Fuels and Bioproducts [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1263978 Publication ID: 44392
Lane, T., Sale, K.L., Geng, H., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2014). The Contribution of Founder Community to the Succession of Algal Microbiota. Applied Environmental Microbiology. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1140322 Publication ID: 37196
Turner, K., Hudson, C.M., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Powell, A.J., Williams, K.P., & Williams, K.P. (2014). Understanding and regulation of microbial lignolysis for renewable platform chemicals. https://doi.org/10.2172/1322272 Publication ID: 36881
Bent, Z., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Langevin, S.A., Brazel, D., Branda, S., Lane, T., Vandernoot, V.A., & Vandernoot, V.A. (2013). Enriching pathogen transcripts from infected samples: A capture-based approach to enhanced host–pathogen RNA sequencing. Analytical Biochemistry, 438(1), pp. 90-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2013.03.008 Publication ID: 31337
Brazel, D., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Vandernoot, V.A., Branda, S., & Branda, S. (2013). An RNA-Seq analysis of Francisella tularensis LVS transcriptional shifts at early time points during in vitro infections. PLoS One. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1113046 Publication ID: 34364
Tran-Gyamfi, M., Langevin, S.A., Brazel, D., Branda, S., Lane, T., Vandernoot, V.A., & Vandernoot, V.A. (2013). Enriching pathogen transcripts from infected samples : [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1503472 Publication ID: 32686
Bent, Z., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Langevin, S.A., Brazel, D., Branda, S., Lane, T., Vandernoot, V.A., & Vandernoot, V.A. (2013). Enriching pathogen transcripts from infected samples : [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1503470 Publication ID: 32332
Hadi, M., Taatjes, C.A., Turner, K., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2012). LB1 : [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1294247 Publication ID: 29368
Branda, S., Jebrail, M.J., van de Vreugde, J.L., Langevin, S.A., Bent, Z., Curtis, D.J., Lane, P., Carson, B., la Bauve, E., Patel, K., Ricken, B., Schoeniger, J.S., Solberg, O.D., Williams, K.P., Misra, M., Powell, A.J., Pattengale, N.D., May, E., Lane, T., … Meagher, R.J. (2012). Characterization of Pathogens in Clinical Specimens via Suppression of Host Background for Efficient Second Generation Sequencing Analyses [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1141142 Publication ID: 28871
Lane, T., Williams, K.P., Solberg, O.D., Patel, K., Branda, S., Langevin, S.A., Lane, P., Bent, Z., Curtis, D.J., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Vandernoot, V.A., Schoeniger, J.S., & Schoeniger, J.S. (2012). Rapid Threat Organism Recognition [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1067717 Publication ID: 28455
Branda, S., Jebrail, M.J., van de Vreugde, J.L., Langevin, S.A., Bent, Z., Curtis, D.J., Lane, P., Carson, B., la Bauve, E., Patel, K., Ricken, B., Schoeniger, J.S., Solberg, O.D., Williams, K.P., Misra, M., Powell, A.J., Pattengale, N.D., May, E., Lane, T., … Meagher, R.J. (2012). Automated Molecular Biology Platform Enabling Rapid & Efficient SGS Analysis of Pathogens in Clinical Samples [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1067707 Publication ID: 27930
Branda, S., Jebrail, M.J., van de Vreugde, J.L., Langevin, S.A., Bent, Z., Curtis, D.J., Lane, P., Carson, B., la Bauve, E., Patel, K., Ricken, B., Schoeniger, J.S., Solberg, O.D., Williams, K.P., Misra, M., Powell, A.J., Pattengale, N.D., May, E., Lane, T., … Meagher, R.J. (2012). Copy of Automated Molecular Biology Platform Enabling Rapid & Efficient SGS Analysis of Pathogens in Clinical Samples [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1688623 Publication ID: 27929
Langevin, S.A., Vandernoot, V.A., Solberg, O.D., Curtis, D.J., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Lane, P., Branda, S., Lane, T., & Lane, T. (2012). Negative capture combined with HAC normalization for selective enrichment of pathogen-derived nucleic acids in clinical samples [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1294283 Publication ID: 27714
Yu, E., Taatjes, C.A., Dec, J.E., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2012). Tailoring Next-Generation Biofuels and their Combustion in Next-Generation Engines [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1660687 Publication ID: 26004
Yu, E., Dec, J.E., Taatjes, C.A., Tran-Gyamfi, M., & Tran-Gyamfi, M. (2011). Tailoring Next-generation Biofuels and their combustion in Next-generation Engines [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1111706 Publication ID: 25328
Timlin, J.A., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Sapra, R., Sinclair, M.B., Simmons, B., & Simmons, B. (2008). “Trojan Horse” strategy for deconstruction of biomass for biofuels production [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/947794 Publication ID: 14594

Showing 10 of 40 publications.

Selected Publications

Hamilton, AT, Huntley, S, Tran-Gyamfi, M, Baggott DM, Gordon L, Stubbs L. (2006) Evolutionary expansion and divergence in the ZNF91subfamily of primate-specific zinc finger genes. Genome Res, 16: 584-94
Huntley, S., Baggott, D.M., Hamilton, A.T., Tran-Gyamfi, M., Yang, S., Kim, J., Gordon, L., Branscomb, E., and Stubbs, L. 2006. A comprehensive catalog of human KRAB-associated zinc finger genes: Insights into the evolutionary history of a large family of transcriptional repressors. Genome Res. 16: 669-677.
Grimwood, J., Gordon, L.A., Olsen, A., Terry, A., Schmutz, J., Lamerdin, J., Hellsten, U., Goodstein, D., Couronne, O., Tran-Gyamfi, M., et al. 2004. The DNA sequence and biology of human chromosome 19. Nature 428: 529-535.
Schmutz, J., Martin, J., Terry, A., Couronne, O., Grimwood, J., Lowry, S., Gordon, L.A., Scott, D., Xie, G., Huang, W., Hellsten, U., Tran-Gyamfi ,M., She, X., Prabhakar, S., Aerts, A., et al 2004. The DNA sequence and comparative analysis of human chromosome 5. Nature. 431: 268-74.
Laurie Gordon, Shan Yang, Tran-Gyamfi M, Dan Baggott, Mari Christensen, Aaron Hamilton, Richard Crooijmans, Martien Groenen, Susan Lucas, Ivan Ovcharenko, and Lisa Stubbs. “Comparative analysis of chicken chromosome 28 provides new clues to the evolutionary fragility of gene-rich vertebrate genomic regions” Genome Res. 17: 1603-13
Heins RA, Cheng X, Nath S, Deng K, Bowen BP, Chivian DC, Datta S, Friedland GD, D’Haeseleer P, Wu D, Tran-Gyamfi M, et al. 2014 Phylogenomically Guided Identification of Industrially Relevant GH1 β-Glucosidases through DNA Synthesis and Nanostructure-Initiator Mass Spectrometry. ACS Chem Biol. 9:2082-91.
Bent ZW, Brazel DM, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Hamblin RY, VanderNoot VA, Branda SS. 2013 Use of a capture-based pathogen transcript enrichment strategy for RNA-Seq analysis of the Francisella tularensis LVS transcriptome during infection of murine macrophages. PLoS One. 8:e77834
Bent ZW, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Langevin SA, Brazel DM, Hamblin RY, Branda SS, Patel KD, Lane TW, VanderNoot VA. 2013 Enriching pathogen transcripts from infected samples: a capture-based approach to enhanced host-pathogen RNA sequencing. Anal Biochem. 438:90-6
Geng H, Sale KL, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Lane TW, Yu ET. 2016 Longitudinal Analysis of Microbiota in Microalga Nannochloropsis salina Cultures. Microb Ecol. 72(1):14-24
Geng H, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Lane TW, Sale KL, Yu ET. 2016 Changes in the Structure of the Microbial Community Associated with Nannochloropsis salina following Treatments with Antibiotics and Bioactive Compounds. Front Microbiol. 26;7:1155
Wu W, Davis RW, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Kuo A, LaButti K, Mihaltcheva S, Hundley H, Chovatia M, Lindquist E, Barry K, Grigoriev IV, Henrissat B, Gladden JM. 2017 Characterization of four endophytic fungi as potential consolidated bioprocessing hosts for conversion of lignocellulose into advanced biofuels. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 101(6):2603-2618
Liu F, Wu W, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Jaryenneh JD, Zhuang X, Davis RW. 2017 Bioconversion of distillers’ grains hydrolysates to advanced biofuels by an Escherichia coli co-culture. Microb Cell Fact. 16(1):192