Glycopathogens

On the surface of most cells, sugar structures can be found which play an important role in the early stages of an infection. These so called glycans form part of the glycocalyx, a highly complex and dynamic outer layer that surrounds the cell. Disease causing agents such as viruses and bacteria, the pathogens, can interact with this layer when they come into contact with the cell. While individual binding partners of pathogen-cell glycan interactions have been identified for a number of pathogens, the interplay and dynamics of these binding processes in the context of a highly diverse array of cellular glycans remain elusive. In contrast to earlier assumptions, these interactions are highly dynamic. Glycans anchored in the cell membrane are mobile, can form clusters of higher density, or dissolve again, thereby governing pathogen binding processes. The functional roles of such dynamics during binding in infection processes remain largely unexplored due to the high complexity and heterogeneity of the glycocalyx and the difficulties to specifically manipulate it.

GlycoPathogens is a highly interdisciplinary research consortium that aims to better understand these mechanisms by developing various glycocalyx model systems and engineering approaches. By combing these models with advanced research methods, the consortium seeks to uncover fundamental principles of glycan and pathogen interactions in infection processes. In this way, it opens new opportunities to decipher infection processes and to develop new strategies to fight them.

The project brings together Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, the University of Münster, Freie Universität Berlin, and the University of Lübeck.