LI Glycoscience Group
We utilize a combination of organic synthesis and enzymatic methods to build a comprehensive repository of mammalian glycans and glycopeptides. These structures serve as the foundation for developing glycomics tools that enable the study of carbohydrate-protein interactions. Additionally, we leverage molecular biology, biochemistry, and chemical biology approaches to investigate the biosynthesis of bacterial glycans and glycoconjugates, with a focus on antibiotic-resistant pathogens. By synthesizing length-defined bacterial polysaccharides, we aim to create next-generation carbohydrate-based vaccines.
1. Streamline the Synthesis of Complex Glycans and Glycoconjugates
Carbohydrates play a central role in normal physiology and contribute to the etiology of nearly every major disease affecting humans. Understanding their functions and the mechanisms underlying related biological processes requires access to diverse, structurally well-defined glycoforms. Due to their inherent complexity and diversity, isolating natural glycans in sufficient quantities presents a significant challenge, while the synthesis of complex glycans with precise linkages is challenging.
By leveraging the efficiency of organic chemistry for gram-scale synthesis of glycan core structures and the stereo- and regio-selectivity of enzymatic synthesis, we are developing chemoenzymatic approaches to streamline the production of complex glycans. Our focus includes N-glycans, O-glycans, glycopeptides, human milk oligosaccharides, and glycosaminoglycans.
2. Towards Next Generation Surface Carbohydrate-based Vaccines against Infectious Bacteria
Bacterial infections present a significant global health challenge, with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains posing a serious threat to human health. All bacteria are coated with a dense layer of glycans on their cell surfaces, and certain bacterial glycans have been shown to trigger specific immune responses. Our research focuses on the biosynthesis of bacterial glycans, particularly capsular polysaccharides (CPS) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
We utilize molecular and synthetic techniques to elucidate their biosynthetic pathways, with a specific emphasis on synthesizing length-defined bacterial polysaccharides to drive the development of next-generation carbohydrate-based vaccines.
3. Chemical Glycobiology and Immunology
Glycans are ubiquitously expressed on all cell types, and diseases are often associated with their altered expression. For example, cancer cells typically overexpress truncated or specific glycan structures known as tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs). In addition, many immune responses are mediated and regulated by protein-carbohydrate interactions, making the modulation of these interactions a promising area of cancer research.
One of our primary research focuses and long-term goals is the development and application of carbohydrate-based chemical biology tools to decipher alterations in cell surface glycans and to create novel approaches for combating cancer.