GGS Research

Structurally more complex than nucleic acids and proteins, polysaccharides and oligosaccharides constitute the latest group of biological macromolecules that has now become amenable for detailed analysis. While these carbohydrates form the majority of all existing biomass on earth, techniques for their large scale structural analysis, sequencing and molecular modeling has become possible only recently. Innovations in the basic science of glycosubstances will have extensive applications in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Biological functions

Poly- and oligosaccharides reside in the interface between a cell and its environment. Interactions of specific cell surface carbohydrates with proteins and lipids create the molecular basis for important signaling and recognition processes in cell-cell and cell-matrix communication. These functions are exemplified in the interaction between leukocytes and endothelium, in the invasion of malignant cells in the surrounding tissues, microbe binding to cells, and growth factor guidance to their receptors. Specific plant and microbial polysaccharides are probably important for the function of certain food components that promote health.