Improving the production of complex sugar molecules for medical use
Official title: Expedite Enzymatic Assembly of Glycans via DNA (de)Hybridization-Enabled Catch-and-Release
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-10893633 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to make important sugar molecules that help with health and medicine, making it easier and faster to produce them, which could lead to better treatments and tests for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21GM150050-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893633 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with conditions related to glycan deficiencies or abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have conditions associated with glycan structures may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to efficiently synthesize complex sugar molecules, known as glycans, which are essential for various biological functions and medical applications. The approach utilizes a novel catch-and-release strategy to enhance the automation of glycan synthesis, addressing the current challenges of slow reaction rates and low yields. By improving the efficiency of glycosyltransferases, the research aims to create a more accessible and practical system for producing these important molecules. Patients may benefit from advancements in glycan-related therapies and diagnostics as a result of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments and diagnostics for diseases that involve glycan structures.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been some advancements in automated glycan synthesis, this specific approach using catch-and-release strategies is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Lei — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Li, Lei
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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.