Analytical Glycoscience
Innovating Glycan Analysis Through Synthetic Standards and Cutting-Edge Separation and Mass Spectrometry Techniques
The Analytical Glycoscience group at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 develops and applies advanced analytical methodologies to decode the structural complexity of glycans, which are essential biomolecules involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. As part of the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery group (CBDD), the team focuses on pushing the boundaries of glycomics and glycoproteomics through analytical innovation. A core strength of the group lies in the development of novel methods based on capillary electrophoresis and (2D-)liquid chromatography coupled to (ion mobility)-mass spectrometry (IM-MS). These techniques allow for detailed structural characterization of glycans, which is critical for understanding their biological functions.
To address analytical challenges in glycomics, the group leverages chemoenzymatically synthesized glycan standards and stable isotope-labeled references, developed in the CBDD group. These compounds are essential for developing new analytical methodologies, enabling both qualitative and quantitative analyses of complex glycan mixtures, such as N- and O-glycans, HMOs, glycolipids, and glycopeptides. With a diverse team, we characterize and connect these structures to biological phenomena. By integrating high-resolution separation and mass spectrometry techniques with synthetic standards, we aim to establish structure-function relationships that support drug development, diagnostics, and nutritional research.
