Canada (Commonwealth Union) – The role of glycomics has been of special interest for biotechnology and bioinformatics researchers in recent years. Recognizing this importance has prompted the University of Alberta’s (U of A) Professor Lara Mahal to launch the Glycomics Institute of Alberta which will be an institute within the university.
Glycomics is the study of carbohydrates and their role in disease. For many years the biotechnology and medical sectors had less focus on glycomics however more scientists are now realizing its significance as carbohydrates play a key role in diseases, hence giving better opportunity to develop more specific medicine and vaccines. One of the reasons less focus on glycomics was the difficulty in isolating and studying the component to which Professor Carolyn Bertozzi won this year Nobel Prize in Chemistry which recognized her work on using a tag to identify the activity of glycans in organisms.
Professor Mahal, who obtained her PhD in chemistry under the supervision of Professor Carolyn Bertozzi, is director of the Glycomics Institute of Alberta and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Glycomics stated that glycosylation has a vital role in all major diseases, and yet it is probably one of the least studied in science.
Presently the institute membership has scientists from the departments of chemistry, biology and pharmacology, and Professor Mahal expects membership growth to lead to the representation of more departments and faculties, however, Professor Mahal prefers the institute to develop links not just with glycoscientists, but also with scientists who might not realize the significance of glycans for their work. “Part of it is helping everyone’s research by giving them the connections and the resources to figure out how to incorporate these really critical aspects into their work,” said Professor Mahal.
Current members are exploring the effects sugars have on all things from the immune system to transplantation outcomes.
