Home Department: Chemical Engineering
Mentor: Carolyn Bertozzi (Chemistry)

"Computational Generative Design of Glycan Binders"

Glycans are sugar chains on cell surfaces that are involved in barrier function, cell-cell communication, and immune regulation. Alterations in cellular glycan profiles have been implicated in various disease conditions. However, the exploration of glycans is limited by their complex structures and the lack of specific tools. With this project, the Bertozzi lab aims to design novel glycan binders using an all-atom generative model. They will generate potential binders in silico and test their glycan-binding using glycan arrays. Integrating computational design and experimental validation will enable us to create glycan-binding tools for multiplexed immunohistochemistry and spatial mapping of glycans.