What is glycoscience?
Glycoscience is the study of sugars that decorate many of the molecules in living things and how these sugar decorations influence how living things function (or not). Sugar decorations, called glycans, influence so many things from blood types and immunity to how cells communicate and how diseases develop. Although they are found in all forms of life, many students have never had the chance to learn about them. Want to help students learn about sugars and their importance? Tell us about your interests by completing this brief survey:
Why glycans matter
Identity
Glycans on the surface of red blood cells define the ABO blood groups — one of the first glycan-determined traits ever described, and still the reason transfusions must be matched.
Immunity
Immune cells read glycans to distinguish self from non-self. Pathogens in turn use glycans to attach to host cells, and to disguise themselves from immune recognition.
Communication
Glycans mediate how cells recognise and adhere to one another, shaping development, tissue organisation and signalling.
Disease
Altered glycosylation is a feature of cancer, neurodegeneration and congenital disorders of glycosylation, making glycans both markers and targets.
Medicine
Most therapeutic proteins are glycoproteins, and their glycans control stability, half-life and efficacy — so glycoscience is central to biologics manufacturing.
Everywhere in life
Glycans are found in all forms of life, from bacterial cell walls to plant cellulose to human mucins — yet most students never encounter them in a biology course.