770001 Chemica glycobiology

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
1
Lecturer (assistant)
Wennekes, Tom , Schäffer, Christina
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2024/25
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

Glycans are the dark matter of biology.” This quote by Ajit Varki reflects the mysterious and often overlooked role that glycans play in nearly every aspect of biology. Glycans, complex carbohydrates found on the surface of all cells and proteins, are critical to processes ranging from cell signaling to immune responses. Yet, much remains to be discovered about their functions. At the molecular level, lies the key to understanding the complex metabolism and roles of carbohydrates. While genomic and molecular biology approaches help identify the enzymes and proteins involved in carbohydrate-related processes, they may fall short in addressing the dynamic interactions at the molecular level. Chemistry, however, offers a unique strategy for dissecting this complexity by asking focused molecular-level questions and designing specific chemical probes that target particular carbohydrates or carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes).
Chemical Glycobiology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of chemistry and biology, aiming to do exactly this by focusing on the roles and manipulation of glycans and their associated enzymes and proteins in biological systems. This course will explore how chemical tools and principles can be applied to study glycosylation and the behavior of complex carbohydrates in biological contexts. Topics will include the chemical and enzymatic synthesis of glycans, glycopeptides, and glycoconjugates, as well as their structural roles in cell signaling, molecular recognition, and disease. A central focus will be placed on bioorthogonal chemistry and the development of glycan-based chemical probes to investigate dynamic biological processes. In addition to carbohydrates, other relevant biomolecules such as peptides and nucleic acids will also be covered, with particular emphasis on their interactions with glycans in biological systems.
Students will engage with cutting-edge research by critically reading and discussing recent literature, with opportunities to present their findings and insights to the class. This course aims to provide a solid understanding of both foundational concepts and current trends in Chemical Glycobiology, preparing students to contribute to research in this rapidly evolving field.
Previous knowledge expected

Participants should have a foundation in basic (organic) chemistry and biochemistry knowledge. This course will assume basic knowledge of chemical functional groups, reactivity, and reaction mechanisms.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate an appreciation of the chemical nature of glycans in biological systems and the biological behavior of glycans.
Demonstrate an understanding of the chemical and biological synthesis of glycans.
Demonstrate an understanding of the three-dimensional structure of glycans, and how this structure interacts with function.
Demonstrate an understanding of recent developments in approaches using chemical glycobiology, bio-orthogonal chemistry, and chemical probes to investigate biological systems.
Critically read research articles in the scientific literature and present this information in a manner accessible to peers.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.