The dipteran glycan array

Wider research context / theoretical framework: Glycans cover the surfaces of all cells and are vary between species and phyla. Hypotheses/research questions /objectives: Based on previous work by us and others, the major underlying hypotheses are that: (i) anionic/zwitterionic modifications of N-glycans vary between orders and species of arthropods and these structures are either (ii) bound by mammalian immune lectins involved, e.g., in recognition of arthropod-derived viruses, (iii) involved in interactions of pathogens with arthropods (e.g., mosquitoes) as intermediate or final hosts or (iv) have innate function, e.g., in development of the arthropod species itself. Approach/methods Enzymatic remodelling of saccharides, preparation/analysis of natural glycans from selected insects and probing saccharides/glycans in an microarray format with lectins, pentraxins and antibodies. Level of originality / innovation The project has the goal of delivering new information about insect glycomes.