Stephen L. Bearne is a Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Chemistry at Dalhousie University, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. He has been a department member since 1996 and served as Department Head from 2012 to 2022. His research focuses on enzymology, enzyme catalysis, and protein engineering, with a particular emphasis on transition state analogues, enzyme inhibition mechanisms, and the chemical basis of disease-associated enzymes. His work integrates organic synthesis, biophysical techniques, and computational modeling to explore enzyme function and design inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Dr. Bearne holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and an MDCM from McGill University. His lab is part of the Protein Assembly Research Team and the BioActives CREATE Training Program. Current research themes include understanding carbon acid substrate catalysis in mandelate racemase, developing inhibitors for CTP synthase and racemases involved in diseases like cancer and neglected tropical infections, and proteomic tools for enzymatic activity profiling. His research leverages advanced techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, isothermal titration calorimetry, NMR spectroscopy, and macroion mobility spectrometry. His lab supports equity, diversity, and inclusivity and has been funded by NSERC, CIHR, and other agencies. Recent publications highlight advancements in enzyme inhibition strategies, allosteric regulation mechanisms, and enzyme filamentation roles in metabolic pathways.
