Glycoweb

Led by the University of Nottingham, GlycoWeb is driven by an experienced, innovative, and multidisciplinary team of researchers from five top UK institutions with key overseas collaborators. Our team comprises experts in various fields including the development and application of advanced 3D models called gastruloids, structural analysis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and transcriptional regulation of glycan biosynthesis. Together, we are committed to advancing the understanding and application of GAGs in biomedical sciences. We perform integrative analyses of transcriptomics, proteomics, and detailed GAG structural and spatial analyses using an advanced 3D stem cell development model (gastuloids) as an exemplar model system. This enables us to build, test and refine our understanding of GAG biosynthesis and degradation using novel GAG-binding probes and analysis techniques, in a dynamic system. Our work will make GAG research accessible to the broader scientific community and facilitate the development of new therapies and biotechnological applications. Impact will reach across fields such as mammalian development, regenerative medicine, and medical research (e.g. cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and genetic disorders). Our mission is to transform the practical biomedical understanding of glycosaminoglycans into a comprehensive web of predictable processes. We strive to: Break down current barriers limiting the application of GAGs in biological sciences and biotechnological fields. Empower the development of novel treatments for diseases via the application of innovative biotechnological tools created by our advanced platform. Democratise GAG research through training and by the development of new, accessible methods. Through these efforts, we aim to create new opportunities for commercial and societal benefits, ultimately improving health outcomes and fostering innovation in glycobiology and related disciplines.