Glycobiology
Glycobiology - Related Videos
08:51
Profiling of Permethylated Mucin O-glycans Using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
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2025
Here, we present a detailed protocol for the release of O-glycans from mucins, and the subsequent desalting, permethylation, and analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
08:53
Models of Murine Vaginal Colonization by Anaerobically Grown Bacteria
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Cited by 4 •
2022
The protocol presents a mouse model of vaginal colonization with anaerobically cultured human vaginal bacteria. We focus on Gardnerella vaginalis, while including suggestions for Prevotella bivia and Fusobacterium nucleatum. This protocol can also be used as a guide for vaginal inoculations and viable recovery of other anaerobically grown bacteria.
11:08
Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of N-glycans for Array Development and HIV Antibody Profiling
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Cited by 2 •
2018
A modular approach to the synthesis of N-glycans for attachment to an aluminum oxide-coated glass slide (ACG slide) as a glycan microarray has been developed and its use for the profiling of an HIV broadly neutralizing antibody has been demonstrated.
12:06
Metabolic Glycoengineering of Sialic Acid Using N-acyl-modified Mannosamines
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Cited by 7 •
2017
Sialic acid is a typical monosaccharide-unit found in glycoconjugates. It is involved in a plethora of molecular and cellular interactions. Here we present a method to modify cell surface sialic acid expression using metabolic glycoengineering with N-acetylmannosamine derivatives.
FAQs
The arrangement of sugar units creates structural differences that can change how glycans interact with other molecules. Variations in glycosidic linkage, branching pattern, and composition may alter biological recognition and regulation even when related carbohydrate structures are present. Examining these features helps explain why distinct glycans support different molecular interactions.
Glycosyltransferases construct glycoconjugate structures by adding sugars, whereas glycosidases remove or remodel them. Their opposing activities provide a chemical basis for changing the composition and architecture of glycans attached to proteins, lipids, or other carbohydrates. Studying this balance helps connect glycan structure with changes in cellular recognition and regulation.
Small structural differences can carry different molecular information, so identifying only the carbohydrate components may not be sufficient. Analysis must consider how sugars are linked, branched, and assembled within glycoconjugates. This chemical perspective supports interpretation of recognition processes and helps researchers relate particular glycan architectures to signaling or other biological interactions.
Chemical analysis characterizes the composition and structural organization of glycans, while synthesis provides a way to produce complex carbohydrate structures for focused investigation. Together, these approaches let researchers examine how defined glycan features influence molecular interactions. They also support the broader study of glycoconjugates whose complexity can affect biological recognition and regulation.
These applications are relevant when carbohydrate structures may influence how cells recognize and respond to one another or to infectious agents. Researchers examine glycans and glycoconjugates as molecular features within those interactions, using structural information to interpret their effects. Such studies can contribute to understanding regulation, host-pathogen relationships, and the design of vaccines or therapeutics.
Changes in glycosylation can modify the structures displayed by proteins, lipids, or other cellular components, potentially affecting molecular recognition and regulation. Investigating these alterations helps researchers assess their relationship to disease and identify patterns that may serve as biomarkers. The same knowledge can inform development of carbohydrate-based therapeutics aimed at disease-relevant interactions.