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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

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Metabolic Glycoengineering of Sialic Acid Using N-acyl-modified Mannosamines
Published on: November 25, 2017
Recent advances in cell-surface glycan engineering and its biological applications
Chang-Hee Lee1, Joo Hee Choi1, Eunseo Lee2
1Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, 03722 Seoul, Republic of Korea. injae@yonsei.ac.kr.
Chemical Society Reviews
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Cell-surface glycan engineering modifies the cell
Area of Science:
- Glycobiology
- Cell Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cell-surface glycans form the glycocalyx, crucial for physiological and pathological processes.
- Glycan diversity necessitates advanced manipulation techniques for research and therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements (since 2019) in cell-surface glycan engineering.
- To discuss applications in mammalian and bacterial systems, including cell labeling and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic glycan engineering
- Genetic glycan modifications
- Enzyme-mediated remodeling
- Synthetic glycolipid incorporation
Main Results:
- Significant progress in modifying cell-surface glycans since 2019.
- Demonstrated utility in cell labeling, detection, and biological process modulation.
Conclusions:
- Cell-surface glycan engineering is vital for basic and translational biomedical research.
- Continued innovation promises expanded applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
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