Glycobiology

Glycobiology is in the broadest sense, the study of the structure, biosynthesis, and biology of saccharides ( sugar chains or glycans ). They affect a wide range of biological processes in many ways. These are explored in medical, biochemical and biotechnological point of view.

History

The term glycobiology was coined in 1988 and described the connection of the traditional disciplines of carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry. This resulted from an improved understanding of the cellular and molecular biology and the glycans. In the 1890s, it was Emil Fisher for the first time clarified the structure of basic sugar molecules.

Saccharides, glycans, glycoconjugates, glycoproteins, glycolipids

Carbohydrates are categorized according to simple sugars ( monosaccharides), double sugars ( disaccharides ), multiple sugars ( oligosaccharides) and multiple sugars (polysaccharides, also glycans ). Molecules of sugar structures and other components are called glycoconjugates. With sugar structures modified proteins as glycoproteins ( glycosylated proteins) are referred to fat molecules with attached sugar units are glycolipids. Glycoconjugates as well as molecules that recognize the sugar components and trigger biochemical reactions, such as antibodies, enzymes, lectins, are in the glycobiology of particular interest. Glycoconjugates are mainly found in the outer cell wall as well as in cell secretions. You play, due to the existing glycan receptors play an important role in interactions between cells.

Glycomics

The whole of the sugar structures in the body is called glycome. Glycomics (also Glycomics ) is the collective name for the corresponding field of research.

Complexity

The challenge of glycobiology in analysis and synthesis of Glycoderivaten is can be constructed that biologically active sugar extraordinarily complex and diverse ( heterogeneous). The building blocks ( monosaccharides, proteins and fats ) can be composed in different ways.

Practical Applications

Through research in glycobiology expected to lead to, for example, an improved understanding of diseases and their gradients by analyzing the nature and extent of glycosylation of certain proteins. This can lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics. Other areas of research include the development of vaccines, where the Glycosilierungsgrad plays a role, and the testing of biomaterials with better tolerability.