About this Research Topic
Research in glycosciences has experienced a boost in the last decade. Many biological events are modulated by glycan interactions, therefore the presentation of these molecules is essential for the biological response. Given the intrinsic flexibility of glycan structures, NMR methods are of paramount importance to study the conformation, dynamics, and interactions of saccharides. Nevertheless, NMR parameters are not usually enough by themselves to define these features. Therefore, the combination of the NMR data with information acquired through theoretical molecular modelling protocols and experimental biomedical techniques allows obtaining a detailed picture of the phenomenon under study. In particular, atomic force microscopy (AFM), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), biolayer interferometry (BLI), and mass spectrometry methods provide complementary information, including kinetics and thermodynamics, to that provided through NMR to define the recognition event at the molecular level. In the context of the pathological processes, the obtained information may be of paramount importance to clarify the obtained data in initial biological investigations as well as in preclinical or clinical studies in veterinary or human medicine.
For instance, glycans are involved in virus-mediated diseases, from influenza infection to the current SARS CoV2-related pandemic. The key actors in the initial recognition event, ACE2 and the spike protein, are both glycoproteins decorated with sialic acids at the end of their glycan chains. The role of glycosaminoglycans in this early interaction step has also been highlighted.
But glycan-protein interactions do not only take a leading role in infection diseases, the role of glycans, especially those showing negatively charged sialic acid or sulfated sugar residues, in other pathologies, such as neurological or immune diseases including diverse types of cancer, has been also underscored.
Since the two editors are experts in the field of structural glycobiology and molecular recognition, manuscripts dealing with the interactions between complex carbohydrate chains and proteins in the context of nanomedicine and nanopharmacology are highly welcome. We also welcome submissions covering:
• The application of NMR methods assisted by molecular modeling protocols to study the conformation, dynamics and interactions of glycans
• The application of advanced theoretical calculations, including Quantum Chemical calculations methods to address the importance of glycans in recognition processes in the fields of interest in nanomedicine and/or nanopharmacology
• Addressing pathological events form the molecular perspective: NMR and biophysics tools to explore the role of glycans in infection and immune disease
Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Siebert is Scientific Director at RIBNT Research Institute of
Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology
For instance, glycans are involved in virus-mediated diseases, from influenza infection to the current SARS CoV2-related pandemic. The key actors in the initial recognition event, ACE2 and the spike protein, are both glycoproteins decorated with sialic acids at the end of their glycan chains. The role of glycosaminoglycans in this early interaction step has also been highlighted.
But glycan-protein interactions do not only take a leading role in infection diseases, the role of glycans, especially those showing negatively charged sialic acid or sulfated sugar residues, in other pathologies, such as neurological or immune diseases including diverse types of cancer, has been also underscored.
Since the two editors are experts in the field of structural glycobiology and molecular recognition, manuscripts dealing with the interactions between complex carbohydrate chains and proteins in the context of nanomedicine and nanopharmacology are highly welcome. We also welcome submissions covering:
• The application of NMR methods assisted by molecular modeling protocols to study the conformation, dynamics and interactions of glycans
• The application of advanced theoretical calculations, including Quantum Chemical calculations methods to address the importance of glycans in recognition processes in the fields of interest in nanomedicine and/or nanopharmacology
• Addressing pathological events form the molecular perspective: NMR and biophysics tools to explore the role of glycans in infection and immune disease
Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Siebert is Scientific Director at RIBNT Research Institute of
Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology
Keywords: NMR & Molecular Modeling of carbohydrate-protein interactions, ab initio calculations of carbohydrate structures, glycan structures, sialic acids, sulfated carbohydrate residues, nanomedicine & nanopharmacology
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