SubsidieMeestersGlycan Mimetics for Cell Glycocalyx Reconstitution: a polymer chemist’s approach to fight infection
GLYMCE aims to uncover how carbohydrates influence pathogen interactions to create innovative glycopolymer materials for infection prevention and treatment.
Projectdetails
Objective
The aim of GLYMCE is to understand how carbohydrates and their assemblies are recognized by pathogens to drive infections. The identified molecular patterns will be transferred to biomimetic glycopolymer materials to extend the arsenal for the fight against infections.
Importance of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are not just sweet; they are crucial in various biological interactions. Cell surfaces are covered in carbohydrates, the glycocalyx, that governs contact with pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
Role of Glycosaminoglycans
A class of carbohydrates critical for pathogen attachment and infections are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are highly diverse polysaccharides already used in medicine (e.g., heparin against thrombosis).
- The potential of GAGs in fighting viral and bacterial infections has been recognized in biology and medicine.
- However, as of today, there are no GAG-based drugs used for this purpose.
- A key limitation is insufficient knowledge about the mode of action of GAGs within the complex ensemble of the glycocalyx.
Research Questions
- How does the display of GAGs within the glycocalyx affect their pathogen interactions?
Methodology
GLYMCE will tackle this question from the polymer chemist’s point of view by taking a bottom-up approach:
- Prepare GAG mimetics (level 1).
- Assemble glycocalyx mimetics and study their spatial organization of GAGs upon pathogen binding (level 2).
- Reengineer the glycocalyx of living cells to understand the factors governing infection (level 3).
This is only now possible through recent synthetic tools developed by my lab, enabling GAG mimetics with controlled sequence, molecular weight, chain conformation, architecture, and sulfation patterns – all parameters known to critically impact the affinity and selectivity of GAGs.
Conclusion
Overall, by taking a radically different approach informed by chemical biology and brought to life by polymer chemistry, mechanisms for GAG-mediated pathogen attachment will be derived and applied to develop new materials and strategies to detect, prevent, and treat infections.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.994.024 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.994.024 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-2-2024 |
| Einddatum | 31-1-2029 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURGpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative ExploitationThis project aims to develop a game theoretic framework to analyze the psychological and strategic dynamics of collaborative exploitation, informing policies to combat modern slavery. | ERC STG | € 1.497.749 | 2022 | Details |
Elucidating the phenotypic convergence of proliferation reduction under growth-induced pressureThe UnderPressure project aims to investigate how mechanical constraints from 3D crowding affect cell proliferation and signaling in various organisms, with potential applications in reducing cancer chemoresistance. | ERC STG | € 1.498.280 | 2022 | Details |
Uncovering the mechanisms of action of an antiviral bacteriumThis project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function. | ERC STG | € 1.500.000 | 2023 | Details |
The Ethics of Loneliness and SociabilityThis project aims to develop a normative theory of loneliness by analyzing ethical responsibilities of individuals and societies to prevent and alleviate loneliness, establishing a new philosophical sub-field. | ERC STG | € 1.025.860 | 2023 | Details |
MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative Exploitation
This project aims to develop a game theoretic framework to analyze the psychological and strategic dynamics of collaborative exploitation, informing policies to combat modern slavery.
Elucidating the phenotypic convergence of proliferation reduction under growth-induced pressure
The UnderPressure project aims to investigate how mechanical constraints from 3D crowding affect cell proliferation and signaling in various organisms, with potential applications in reducing cancer chemoresistance.
Uncovering the mechanisms of action of an antiviral bacterium
This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function.
The Ethics of Loneliness and Sociability
This project aims to develop a normative theory of loneliness by analyzing ethical responsibilities of individuals and societies to prevent and alleviate loneliness, establishing a new philosophical sub-field.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Glycan foldamers: designing oligosaccharides to build three-dimensional architecturesThe project aims to develop synthetic carbohydrate foldamers that adopt defined structures and assemble into complex architectures, enhancing understanding and applications in chemistry and material science. | ERC STG | € 1.499.956 | 2023 | Details |
Sweet adhesins: Probing bacterial glycoproteins with novel tools to inspire future antibacterial strategiesThe STICKY SUGARS project aims to develop methods for visualizing and quantifying bacterial adhesin sugars to establish them as novel antibacterial targets against resistant infections. | ERC STG | € 1.499.251 | 2023 | Details |
Molecular Mechanisms for Construction of Protective Mucus HydrogelsThis project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mucin glycoprotein assembly into hydrogels, enhancing our understanding for potential therapeutic applications in various diseases. | ERC ADG | € 2.162.383 | 2023 | Details |
All-in-one supramolecular approach as an innovative anti-infectious strategyPATHO-LEGO aims to develop hybrid molecules that simultaneously block Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion and recruit natural antibodies to enhance immune clearance of resistant strains. | ERC POC | € 150.000 | 2023 | Details |
Glycan foldamers: designing oligosaccharides to build three-dimensional architectures
The project aims to develop synthetic carbohydrate foldamers that adopt defined structures and assemble into complex architectures, enhancing understanding and applications in chemistry and material science.
Sweet adhesins: Probing bacterial glycoproteins with novel tools to inspire future antibacterial strategies
The STICKY SUGARS project aims to develop methods for visualizing and quantifying bacterial adhesin sugars to establish them as novel antibacterial targets against resistant infections.
Molecular Mechanisms for Construction of Protective Mucus Hydrogels
This project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mucin glycoprotein assembly into hydrogels, enhancing our understanding for potential therapeutic applications in various diseases.
All-in-one supramolecular approach as an innovative anti-infectious strategy
PATHO-LEGO aims to develop hybrid molecules that simultaneously block Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion and recruit natural antibodies to enhance immune clearance of resistant strains.