There is growing need of high-throughput analytical platforms to study interactions of cell-surface glycans and glycan-binding proteins. We propose here to develop a 5K+ glycan array to facilitate functional glycomics research. Two hurdles for development of a comprehensive glycan array are (1) lack of a sensitive glycan array substrate enabling multivalent binding events, and (2) lack of a comprehensive glycan library of glycan structures representing the whole glycomes. To solve this challenge, Z Biotech will team with Chemily Glycoscience to deliver the most comprehensive glycan array and glycan sub-arrays to market. Z Biotech invented a robust microarray substrate having the advantage to display glycans on solid surface in multivalent form, and Chemily is a leading glycoscience company in production of complex glycans, sugar nucleotides and glycan-related enzymes. The proposed research strategy has been supported by a preliminary experimental investigation under collaboration between the two companies. In Phase I, our specific aims are (1) collection and synthesis of 1.2K+ glycans in 8 categories (sub-arrays), and (2) 1.2K+ glycan array manufacturing and QC/QA evaluation. Finally, the glycan arrays will be provided to large glycan array screening centers for further evaluation. These are realistic goals within a SBIR program frame and the resultant glycan array products will have a broad impact on glycobiology research, glycan-related biomarker characterization and new drug development.
The multivalent glycan array substrates at Z Biotech LLC and glycan libraries at Chemily Glycoscience LLC have been defined as effective tools for glycomics research. At present there is no commercially available microarray representing the whole glycomes. This SBIR program seeks to leverage the resources and strength in the two companies and launch a sub-array formatted 5K+ glycan array onto market.
| Wang, Shuaishuai; Zhang, Qing; Chen, CongCong et al. (2018) Facile Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of O-Mannosyl Glycans. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 57:9268-9273 |
