Stacey Wetmore
Lethbridge, Alberta
Position: Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair
Organization: University of Lethbridge
I am a researcher in computational chemistry, with pioneering contributions to nucleic acid chemistry. Research in my lab uniquely uses the full spectrum of computational approaches and close collaborations with experimentalists to study how naturally occurring or environmentally-derived nucleic acid derivatives are processed in cells, and the design of synthetic analogues with novel applications in medicine (bioprobes/drugs) or nanotechnology (biomaterials). My team has explained observed reactivities and predicted whether molecules will exhibit sought-after traits. Our research has globally impacted the way researchers think about the function of critical biomolecules and aided synthetic nucleic acid-analogue design. After completing my PhD at Dalhousie University and an NSERC-funded postdoctoral fellowship in Australia, I accepted a faculty position at Mount Allison in 2001 and was recruited to Lethbridge as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in 2006. My work has resulted in >190 publications and 127 invited talks, secured >$8 million in funding, and led to my current Tier 1 Canada Research Chair appointment. I have served on and chair national and international research, policy, and editorial boards, scientific peer review panels, society committees, and conference organization committees. I am a passionate mentor to all trainees in my lab from high school students to postdoctoral fellows, who have achieved numerous successes under my supervision and in their future careers.
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My Work
What I do:
My mission is to use computer calculations to understand how chemical modifications affect the biological functions of DNA and RNA and to design new modifications with far-reaching applications. Nucleic acids are the most basic molecules of life, being tasked with storing and transmitting genetic information in all living organisms. To enhance nucleic acid programmability and stability, and aid the formation of functional 3D shapes, the fundamental building blocks of DNA and RNA are commonly modified. Furthermore, the ease of synthesis of nucleic acids functionalized at any nucleobase, sugar, or phosphate site, as well as the ability of modifications to impact pairing, chemical stability, conformation, and interactions with proteins, has led to the development of a wealth of unique modifications with far-reaching applications from drugs and vaccines to nanomachines. Unfortunately, the lack of known structure–function relationships for a range of modified nucleic acids raises questions such as how modifications improve organism survival and how modifications can be used to their full potential in valued applications. Computational chemistry provides a valuable tool to gain insights necessary to understand the chemistry of modified nucleic acid building blocks. Indeed, calculations can serve as powerful predictors of experimental outcomes and clarify discrepancies between experimental hypotheses and results.
Ask me about:
Anything related to DNA and RNA modifications, including their chemistry, biology, and real-life applications. My team enjoys using modeling to help experimentalists interpret their observations and direct synthesis of new modifications with diverse applications.
Why me:
My team makes me stand out in my field! I have worked hard to establish a collegial environment in my research lab that includes diverse trainees from high school students to undergraduate and graduate students to postdoctoral fellows. Every team member works to support one another to learn and accomplish their goals, including performing the best modeling that we can for our systems of interest. The hard work of my team has allowed us to join forces with excellent experimental collaborators in Canada and around the world. These collaborations have allows us to answer pressing questions related to the roles of nucleic acid modifications in nature and the design of new molecules for diverse applications.
About Me
Sector: Academia (Post Secondary)
English proficiency: Read, Write, Speak
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Gender: Female
Demographic: European / White