Jacob Sieg

Jacob Sieg

Postdoctoral Scholar
Jacob’s current research in Makova Lab uses a combination of experimental and computational approaches to characterize the role of non-canonical DNA secondary structures in primate genomes. Before joining Makova Lab, Jacob studied RNA biochemistry. His Ph.D. thesis work with Dr. Philip Bevilacqua updated thermodynamic models that describe RNA secondary structures to better reflect the cellular environment. His undergraduate thesis work focused on drug targeting RNA thermometers in bacteria.

Interests

  • Nucleic acids chemistry and biology
  • Molecular evolution
  • Non-canonical DNA secondary structures

Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry
    Penn State University
  • B.S. in Biochemistry
    Ohio Universisty Honors Tutorial College

Publications

Kateryna Makova, Ph.D., S Mohanty, Linnéa Smeds, Jacob Sieg, A Lahnsteiner (2026). Unraveling Non-B DNA Structures in the Era of Telomere-to-Telomere Genomes. ANNU REV GENOMICS HUM GENET.
Paper Link Non-B DNA & Microsatellite
Jacob Sieg, Huiqing Zeng, Hana Palova, Linnéa Smeds, S Mohanty, A Lahnsteiner, Francesca Chiaromonte, Kateryna Makova, Ph.D. (2025). Comparative analysis of single-stranded and non-canonical DNA formation in human and other ape cells with telomere-to-telomere genomes. BIORXIV.
Paper Link Non-B DNA & Microsatellite