Reusable glycan microarrays using a microwave assisted wet-erase (MAWE) process

Area of Science:

• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Glycan microarrays are crucial for studying protein-glycan interactions.
• Current methods involve drying, leading to single-use arrays and irreversible binding.
• This limits the exploration of binding interactions and conserves precious materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reusable glycan microarray technique.
• To enable multiple analyses on a single glycan array.
• To reduce the consumption of valuable synthetic glycans.

Main Methods:

• Developed Microwave Assisted Wet-Erase (MAWE) glycan microarrays.
• Imaging of slides under wet conditions.
• Cleaning of bound proteins using SDS and microwave treatment for slide reuse.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful reuse of a single glycan array up to 15 times.
• Obtained results concordant with classical dry methods using sequential lectin application.
• Showcased MAWE's applicability for serum and whole cell samples.

Conclusions:

• MAWE glycan microarrays offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
• This technique significantly enhances the utility and longevity of glycan arrays.
• MAWE facilitates diverse applications in glycan-binding studies, including antibody and cellular interactions.