Glycobiology and Disease

Objectives

At the end of the course unit the learner is expected to be able to:

Associate the structure and biological function of glycans and the proteins that recognize them (lectins, adhesins);
Interpret the structure of glycans according to their class and biosynthetic pathway:
Determine the different ways in which glycosylation shapes the activity of immune receptors and impacts the immune response;
Classify the proteins that recognize glycans according to their specificity and biological function;
Name pathologies whose mechanisms involve glycans;
Refer advanced methodologies in glycobiology for the study of glycans;
Explain the basic principles of methodologies/technologies used to analyze the structure of glycans;
Interpret results of simple diagnostic tests used in clinical practice for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) and cancer;
Explore the relationship between glycan structures and the pathophysiological mechanisms behind certain pathological conditions (e.g. cancer and CDG);
List drugs based on glycans or glycoconjugates or on proteins that recognise and model them;
Formulate questions related to the diversity, function and recognition of glycans and their relevance in pathologies such as CDG, infection and cancer
Interpret scientific publications and to be able to provide a highlight in the field of GlycoSciences;

General characterization

Code

12032

Credits

3.0

Responsible teacher

Maria Angelina de Sá Palma, Paula Alexandra Quintela Videira

Hours

Weekly - 2

Total - 28

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Bibliography

Essentials of Glycobiology –Varki A, Cummings RD, Esko JD, et al., editors. Essentials of Glycobiology. 4th edition. Cold Spring Harbor (NY): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2022-. Available free from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK579918/ .

Introduction to Glycobiology –Third Edition Maureen E. Taylor and Kurt Drickamer, Oxford University Press, Inc., New York. 2011, ISBN 978-0-19-956911-3. Available to request in the library as a hard-copy.

Artigos científicos selecionados

Disponibilizados pelos docentes na página MOODLE da disciplina.

Teaching method

Available soon

Evaluation method

Available soon

Subject matter

Day	Type of class/ Syllabus	Teacher
12/09	Theory: Introduction to the curricular unit/ Introduction to Glycobiology. Practical: Introduction to the practical component and bioinformatics tools/platforms made available in the unit - Formation of groups.	Paula Angelina Filipa
19/09	Theory: Introduction to Glycobiology: basic concepts of the structural diversity of glycans Practical: Introduction to glycan identification and structure - exercises to build glycan molecules and use of an international resource for glycans (GlyGen).	Angelina
26/09	Theory: Glycan biosynthesis - N- and O-glycosylation - ER-GOLGI secretion pathway and glycoprotein processing. Practical: Continuation of the exercises on identifying glycans and glycan structure - N- and O-glycans and their function in the cell.	Angelina
3/10	Theory: Glycan Recognition - Lectins and Antibodies Practical: Visit to the GlycoLab - Microarray facility. Virtual exhibition of a microarray laboratory, specialised equipment and methodologies	Angelina
10/10	Theory: "Glycan-mediated microbial adhesion" - e-learning session (moodle interface only). Practical: Moodle Quizzes	Paula
17/10	Theory: Advanced methodologies in Glycobiology for the study of glycans - from the molecule to the cell Practical: Analysis of glycan microarray data - identifying fine specificity for glycans and discovering new ligands in infection	Angelina
24/10	Theory: Glycobiology and Inflammation: Recognition of glycans by the immune system and immunomodulation. Inflammatory process and cell migration. Practical: Flow cytometry - exercises (lectin staining)	Paula
31/10	Theory: Molecular recognition of glycans by lectins in disease. From structure to function. Practical: Visit to NMR laboratory	Filipa
7/11	Theory: Glycans in cancer: biomarkers and treatment opportunities. Practical: Analysis of tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and discussion.	Paula
14/11	Theory: Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) and human therapy Practical: Clinical case discussion: from mutation to diagnosis/treatment	Paula
21/11	Theoretical-practical classes: Presentation and discussion of a scientific highlight on Glycobiology	Paula, Angelina, Filipa
28/11	Glycan-based therapies	Paula
13/12	Test	Paula Angelina Filipa

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: