Structural heterogeneity and effects of complex carbohydrates as key determinants for molecular recognition in biological systems

This project deals with glycosylation as a signature of pathological processes, focusing on malignant transformation in reproductive tract systems. The connection to other biological systems such as blood- and endocrine will be also approached particularly at the interface of glycoimmunology. Our aim is to explore complex proteomes such as serum, urine, tissue and cell extracts or different biological fluids by themselves in terms of general glycoprofiling or as fruitful sources of carbohydrate-containing and carbohydrate-binding molecules of interest. Complex carbohydrates as molecular markers/probes, antigens and ligands/receptors will be studied with specific emphasis on: the molecular forms and microheterogeneity of known tumor markers; a search for novel molecules with biomarker potential, focusing on antibodies (auto-, carbohydrate-binding) and low molecular mass components; complexity of the sialome and interactions with different types of sialic acid-binding lectins. Work on structural and functional glycomics is expected not only to answer selected fundamental biological questions, but also to highlight the diagnostic and clinical importance of glycans, and point to possibilities for biomarker discovery and applications in disease prevention and therapy.