Sugar coating is, in fact, important
Like people, whether they want to or not, cells need to interact with others around them. One way people interact is through the way they dress. Indeed, we often are judged by the clothes we wear. Cells are "clothed" in a specialised sugar layer known as the glycocalyx in which specific sugar structures are displayed on proteins and lipids. Based on this outer clothing layer, the cell is recognised by both friend and foe.
In this symposium, we will learn about new ways to identify, locate and quantitate the glycans present on different cells under specific conditions. We also will hear how we can dress cells for success through modification of their surface structures. In another section, we will learn how pathogens can recognize and invade cells through specific glycocalyx structures.
We also will hear several accounts of how cancer progression can be mediated through overexpression of glycans such as sialic acid and heparan. Apparently, as with people, inhibitions can be dampened by exuberance in cellular dressing. Learn about this and more at our symposium.
Keywords: glycosylation, glycocalyx, cellular interfaces, cancer, immunity, infection
Who should attend: anyone who is interested in understanding how cells function and interact with their environment through their surface glycan coat and anyone interested in cool new ways to modulate those interactions through carbohydrate chemistry and enzymology
Theme song (at least for the mucinophiles): "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
This session is powered by interdisciplinary science with a sweet touch.
Talks
- Nanoscale physical biology of the cellular glycocalyx — Matthew J. Paszek, Cornell University
- MALDI imaging mass spectrometry mapping of the glycocalyx — Richard R. Drake, Medical University of South Carolina
- Genetic and small molecule strategies to edit the glycocalyx — Sriram Neelamegham鈥�, State University of New York at Buffalo
- Enzymatic removal of cell surface antigens as a route towards universal O type blood and organs — Stephen Withers, University of British Columbia
- Hypersialylation of tumor cells promotes pancreatic cancer progression — Susan Bellis, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Receptor N-glycosylation links metabolism with signaling — James Dennis, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute
- Modeling the mucinous glycocalyx to unravel receptor pattern recognition by influenza A viruses — Kamil Godula, University of California, San Diego
- Cell surface glycan engineering reveals that matriglycan alone can recapitulate dystroglycan binding and function — Geert-Jan Boons, University of Georgia
- The glycocalyx in tumor progression and metastasis — Valerie Weaver, University of California, San Francisco
- The heparanase/syndecan-1 axis in cancer progression — Ralph D. Sanderson, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Reprogramming T cells to target glycans and overcome glycan-mediated immunosuppression for cancer therapy — Avery Posey, University of Pennsylvania
- Orchestrated intragranular restructuring of mucins during secretory granule maturation — Kelly Ten Hagen, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Learn more
Check out all ten thematic symposia planned for the 2022 91亚色传媒 annual meeting:
Enjoy reading 91亚色传媒 Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreFeatured jobs
from the
Get the latest from 91亚色传媒 Today
Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Science
Science highlights or most popular articles
Exploring lipid metabolism: A journey through time and innovation
Recent lipid metabolism research has unveiled critical insights into lipid鈥損rotein interactions, offering potential therapeutic targets for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Check out the latest in lipid science at the 91亚色传媒 annual meeting.
Melissa Moore to speak at 91亚色传媒 2025
Richard Silverman and Melissa Moore are the featured speakers at the 91亚色传媒 annual meeting to be held April 12-15 in Chicago.
A new kind of stem cell is revolutionizing regenerative medicine
Induced pluripotent stem cells are paving the way for personalized treatments to diabetes, vision loss and more. However, scientists still face hurdles such as strict regulations, scalability, cell longevity and immune rejection.
Engineering the future with synthetic biology
Learn about the 91亚色传媒 2025 symposium on synthetic biology, featuring applications to better human and environmental health.
Scientists find bacterial 鈥楢chilles鈥� heel鈥� to combat antibiotic resistance
Alejandro Vila, an 91亚色传媒 Breakthroughs speaker, discussed his work on metallo-尾-lactamase enzymes and their dependence on zinc.
Host vs. pathogen and the molecular arms race
Learn about the 91亚色传媒 2025 symposium on host鈥損athogen interactions, to be held Sunday, April 13 at 1:50 p.m.