Developing easier methods to create carbohydrates.
Official title: Methods and technologies for chemical synthesis of glycans
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11016961 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making it easier and cheaper for anyone, even high school students, to create important sugars called glycans, which are found in all living things, using a new automated system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $334,821 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM152125-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016961 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include researchers and students interested in glycoscience and carbohydrate synthesis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in research or do not have a background in glycoscience may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the chemical synthesis of glycans, which are essential carbohydrates found in all living organisms. The project aims to create an affordable and user-friendly automation platform that allows both experts and non-experts to synthesize glycans from renewable sources using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By simplifying the process, the research hopes to make glycan synthesis more accessible, even enabling high school students to participate in the experiments. The goal is to enhance productivity and efficiency in glycoscience research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient and accessible methods for producing important carbohydrates, benefiting various fields including medicine and biotechnology.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in automating chemical synthesis processes, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demchenko, Alexei V — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Demchenko, Alexei V
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.