Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
08:49
Printed Glycan Array: A Sensitive Technique for the Analysis of the Repertoire of Circulating Anti-carbohydrate Antibodies in Small Animals
Published on: February 14, 2019
My career as an immunoglycobiologist
1Department of Medicine, MS 285, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. dmarcus@bcm.edu
Summary
This research explored human carbohydrate antigens, focusing on their structures, immune responses, and how they are made. It also investigated how carbohydrates bind to antibodies and lectins.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Investigated the structures and immunology of human carbohydrate blood group and glycosphingolipid antigens.
- Examined the tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids.
- Focused on the structural basis of carbohydrate binding by antibodies and lectins.
Discussion:
- The research integrated structural biology, immunology, and biochemistry to understand complex carbohydrate interactions.
- Highlighted the significance of glycosphingolipids in cellular processes and immune recognition.
- Provided insights into molecular recognition mechanisms involving carbohydrate-binding proteins.
Key Insights:
- Elucidated the structural and immunological properties of key human carbohydrate antigens.
- Mapped the cellular and tissue-level presence and synthesis pathways of important glycosphingolipids.
- Defined the structural determinants governing carbohydrate recognition by immune molecules.
Outlook:
- Future research can build upon these findings to develop novel diagnostics and therapeutics targeting carbohydrate antigens.
- Further exploration of glycosphingolipid functions in health and disease is warranted.
- Advanced structural studies could reveal new targets for modulating carbohydrate-protein interactions.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:14Glycocalyx and its Functions
The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.
Components of...
Components of...
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...