AIBN Seminar Series Modeling the Structure and Reactivity of Modified Nucleic Acids: From DNA Damage to RNA Interference

To watch the recorded session click here

We are pleased to present Dr. Stacey Wetmore to speak on Modeling the Structure and Reactivity of Modified Nucleic Acids: From DNA Damage to RNA Interference.

When: 6th April 2023

Where: AIBN Level 1 Seminar room or online via zoom https://uqz.zoom.us/j/84905769928

Time: 11am

Abstract:

Nucleic acids are the most basic molecules of life, being tasked with storing and transmitting genetic information in all living organisms. Both DNA and RNA are composed of fundamental building blocks that each include a nucleobase (A, G, C, T/U), sugar ([deoxy]ribose), and phosphate moiety. To enhance nucleic acid programmability and stability, and aid the formation of functional 3D shapes, nucleotides are commonly modified in nature. Indeed, DNA nucleobases are methylated to control gene expression, while the identification of over 130 distinct modifications in RNA has led to the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. 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. For example, modified nucleic acids have been designed for medicinal uses such as drugs, vaccines, bioprobes, antimicrobials and tissue engineering, as well as for nanomaterials to build nanowires, nanomachines and nanorobots. Unfortunately, the lack of known structure–function relationships for a range of modified nucleic acids raises questions such as why nature introduces modifications and how modifications can be used to their full potential in valued applications. The overarching objective of the research performed in my lab is to use computer modeling to gain a fundamental understanding of the chemistry of modified nucleic acids, with the aim of filling knowledge gaps by gaining a greater understanding of the role of nucleic acid modifications in nature and improving the design of original modified nucleotides for novel applications. Modern computer power and computational methodologies mean molecular modeling can be used to reliably predict biomolecular structure and reactivity. In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent work that investigates the diverse chemistry of modified nucleic acids.

Bio:

Dr. Stacey D. Wetmore is Professor of Chemistry and Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She received a B.Sc. from Mount Allison University (Sackville, Canada) and a Ph.D. from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada) in computational chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Russell J. Boyd.  After completing a postdoctoral fellowship with Prof. Leo Radom at the Australian National University (Canberra), she launched an independent research program at Mount Allison in 2001 and was recruited to Lethbridge in 2006 as a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Computational Chemistry (renewed in 2012). She was elected as a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada in 2018. She currently serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Canadian Journal of Chemistry, a member of Editorial Boards (RSC Advances), and a chairperson of grant selection committees (NSERC, Digital  Research Alliance of Canada). Her research program uses computer modeling (computational chemistry) to study the chemistry of modified nucleic acids, including problems surrounding the mutagenicity and repair susceptibility of harmful DNA lesions, the function of enzymes that process nucleic acids, the impact of naturally occurring RNA modifications, and the function of nucleic acid aptamers.