Developing a new method for making complex sugars using automated technology.

A Continuous Flow-Based Approach to Automated Microbial Oligosaccharide Synthesis.

NIH-funded research Tufts University Medford · NIH-10887503

This study is working on a new, faster way to make special sugars that are important for certain treatments, which could help improve health for patients who need these sugars in their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTufts University Medford NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10887503 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a more efficient way to produce specific sugars, known as oligosaccharides, which are important in microbial glycobiology. The team aims to develop an automated continuous flow system that can streamline the entire process of sugar synthesis, making it faster and more reliable. By automating each step, from producing the sugar building blocks to assembling them into larger molecules, this approach could overcome current limitations in sugar production. Patients may benefit from advancements in treatments that rely on these sugars, as they play a crucial role in various biological processes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by infections from ESKAPE pathogens, particularly those caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to microbial infections or those not affected by ESKAPE pathogens may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by certain bacteria by enabling the production of essential sugars used in therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While automated oligosaccharide synthesis has been explored, this continuous flow approach is a novel method that has not been widely tested in the field.

Where this research is happening

Boston, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.