Glycobiology
In the recent past,
biomedical scientists
have been primarily concerned
with intracellular events
at the genetic and protein
levels. Recently, a wealth
of new information has
revealed that extracellular
environment exert tremendous
influences in normal
and aberrant pathophysiology.
Our efforts are thus
largely associated with
a third class of important
biomolecules that occur
extracellularly—the
glycans.
Technology
One thrust of our work
is geared towards the
development and extension
of a variety of technological
platforms that could
advance our understanding
of human health and disease.
We participate in this
field, by coupling engineering
and computational approaches
to elucidate complex
biomedical phenomena.
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Glycomics
The vast structural
complexity of glycans
complicate the development
of novel pharmacological
approaches to treat human
disease. In order to
fully appreciate the
therapeutic potential
of glycan-based strategies.
We are developing bioinformatics
tools that will organize,
integrate, and characterize
the enormous amounts
of data generated on
glycan structure and
function.
Human
Pathophysiology & Biotherapeutics
Complex glycans—located
at the surfaces of cells,
deposited in the extracellular
matrix, and attached
to soluble signaling
molecules—play
a crucial role in the
phenotypic expression
of cellular genotypes.
We are investigating
the indispensable role
of these molecules in
human physiology as well
as in disease processes.
Complex glycans act on
a multicellular level,
at the interface between
cells, tissues, and organs,
to coordinate biological
processes. From a biological
perspective, complex
glycans represent a promising,
but to date largely untapped,
source for the development
of novel therapeutics.
Our lab has been exploring
various biotherapeutic
applications.
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