Glycoscience Research

Glycobiology involves the study of the structure, biology, evolution, and function of glycans — chemically linked chains of sugars or carbohydrates. Glycans are widely prevalent throughout nature and are present in all cells, connective tissue, and bodily fluids. They play an essential role in how cells work and, therefore, in development and virtually all aspects of health and disease. The Center for Glycoscience leads highly collaborative, interdisciplinary glycobiology research and translates this knowledge into the prevention, detection, and treatment of a host of conditions, including cancer, inflammation, infectious diseases, immunity, and congenital disorders.

Recent work in the center has led to novel insights — and potential new therapeutic targets — in a wide range of conditions involving inflammation and tissue damage, such as blood clots, heart disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

In addition to its enormous future potential, glycobiology research has already led to many important applications in clinical practice, such as drugs and biomarkers that are glycocongugates or based on sugars. Examples include well-known biomarkers for colon, pancreatic, ovarian, and breast cancer; antivirals and antibiotics; and treatments for diabetes, epilepsy, osteoarthritis, and migraines, and other conditions.

The Center for Glycoscience provides education and training in glycobiology, as well as access to the specialized technologies and resources critical for progress in this field. Additionally, the center engages junior investigators with an interest in glycobiology and assists them with their career development.