To address this challenge, researchers focused on viral envelope glycans- sugar molecules found on the surface of many ‘enveloped’ viruses, the families most likely to cause pandemics, severe illness and death in humans. Glycans are sugar molecules that are structurally conserved across unrelated
April 17, 2026 at 4:06 PM
To address this challenge, researchers focused on viral envelope glycans- sugar molecules found on the surface of many ‘enveloped’ viruses, the families most likely to cause pandemics, severe illness and death in humans. Glycans are sugar molecules that are structurally conserved across unrelated
New paper out today from the lab on Akkermansia muciniphila 🦠and how it breaks down host glycans! Very proud of my group, especially @cassiebakshani.bsky.social who did an amazing job. @naturemicrobiol.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion - Nature Microbiology
Biochemical characterization of 66 carbohydrate-active enzymes from the gut microorganism Akkermansia muciniphila reveals that these enzymes can break down a range of host glycans, including mucin, wh...
www.nature.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:25 AM
New paper out today from the lab on Akkermansia muciniphila 🦠and how it breaks down host glycans! Very proud of my group, especially @cassiebakshani.bsky.social who did an amazing job. @naturemicrobiol.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
90% of treated mice survived compared with NONE in the control group. Further experiments confirmed that the compounds work by binding to viral envelope glycans. Two of the compounds were also shown to inhibit rotavirus, a NON-enveloped virus that also has glycans on its surface.
April 17, 2026 at 4:08 PM
90% of treated mice survived compared with NONE in the control group. Further experiments confirmed that the compounds work by binding to viral envelope glycans. Two of the compounds were also shown to inhibit rotavirus, a NON-enveloped virus that also has glycans on its surface.
So, researchers devised a “low-sugar” vaccine that essentially REMOVED the protective glycans through enzymatic digestion AND created antibodies that specifically target the low-mutation stalk region of the virus’ spike protein, should the actual virus enter the body.
March 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
So, researchers devised a “low-sugar” vaccine that essentially REMOVED the protective glycans through enzymatic digestion AND created antibodies that specifically target the low-mutation stalk region of the virus’ spike protein, should the actual virus enter the body.
targets not only the virus itself but also the sugar molecules, known as glycans, that cloak the virus, thereby shielding it from detection by the immune system. This innovative strategy harnesses the potential to create long-lasting immunity, simplifying the vaccination process for future
March 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
targets not only the virus itself but also the sugar molecules, known as glycans, that cloak the virus, thereby shielding it from detection by the immune system. This innovative strategy harnesses the potential to create long-lasting immunity, simplifying the vaccination process for future
Our article "Ångström-resolution imaging of cell-surface glycans" made it to the cover of Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩 @natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/nnano/volume...
www.nature.com/nnano/volume...
October 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Our article "Ångström-resolution imaging of cell-surface glycans" made it to the cover of Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩 @natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/nnano/volume...
www.nature.com/nnano/volume...
ÅNGSTRÖM-RESOLUTION IMAGING OF CELL-SURFACE GLYCANS 🧬🎨🍬
The glycocalyx, our cells' sugar coat, holds secrets in immunology, cancer, viral infections, and more. Visualizing its molecular architecture was impossible… until now. #glycotime #microscopy
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The glycocalyx, our cells' sugar coat, holds secrets in immunology, cancer, viral infections, and more. Visualizing its molecular architecture was impossible… until now. #glycotime #microscopy
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
February 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
ÅNGSTRÖM-RESOLUTION IMAGING OF CELL-SURFACE GLYCANS 🧬🎨🍬
The glycocalyx, our cells' sugar coat, holds secrets in immunology, cancer, viral infections, and more. Visualizing its molecular architecture was impossible… until now. #glycotime #microscopy
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The glycocalyx, our cells' sugar coat, holds secrets in immunology, cancer, viral infections, and more. Visualizing its molecular architecture was impossible… until now. #glycotime #microscopy
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The next phase of the research will focus on advancing the most promising compounds into clinical trials. The researchers anticipate Phase I trials beginning in 2028 after completing preclinical development. Since glycans have also been implicated in cancer and immune disorders,
April 17, 2026 at 4:13 PM
The next phase of the research will focus on advancing the most promising compounds into clinical trials. The researchers anticipate Phase I trials beginning in 2028 after completing preclinical development. Since glycans have also been implicated in cancer and immune disorders,
Another publication in @femsjournals.bsky.social @femsmicro.org 🔬
How do glycans shape the infant gut microbiota? 👶
With a novel in vitro synthetic community we studied the interplay between microbes and HMOs, mucin glycans and GOS/FOS.🍼🤱🦠
#microsky #glycotime
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
How do glycans shape the infant gut microbiota? 👶
With a novel in vitro synthetic community we studied the interplay between microbes and HMOs, mucin glycans and GOS/FOS.🍼🤱🦠
#microsky #glycotime
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
Milk and mucin glycans orchestrate a synthetic infant gut microbiota structure
Dietary and gut glycans drive the composition of an in vitro synthetic community of infant gut microbes.
doi.org
July 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Another publication in @femsjournals.bsky.social @femsmicro.org 🔬
How do glycans shape the infant gut microbiota? 👶
With a novel in vitro synthetic community we studied the interplay between microbes and HMOs, mucin glycans and GOS/FOS.🍼🤱🦠
#microsky #glycotime
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
How do glycans shape the infant gut microbiota? 👶
With a novel in vitro synthetic community we studied the interplay between microbes and HMOs, mucin glycans and GOS/FOS.🍼🤱🦠
#microsky #glycotime
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
team chose to target for their new vaccine is within the stalk region of the virus’ spike protein. However, this stalk is coated with chains of sugar molecules called glycans from the host’s cells. And the sugar coating keeps antibodies from recognizing, and therefore inactivating, the virus.
March 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
team chose to target for their new vaccine is within the stalk region of the virus’ spike protein. However, this stalk is coated with chains of sugar molecules called glycans from the host’s cells. And the sugar coating keeps antibodies from recognizing, and therefore inactivating, the virus.
Researchers have made a broad-spectrum antiviral that works against several virus families by blocking N-glycans—long thought of as undruggable targets. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
New broad-spectrum antiviral compounds target viral sugars
Synthetic carbohydrate receptors use flexible arms to interact with <i>N</i>-glycans and stop membrane binding
cen.acs.org
September 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Researchers have made a broad-spectrum antiviral that works against several virus families by blocking N-glycans—long thought of as undruggable targets. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
Second preprint casting doubt on glycoRNA.
“we further demonstrate that recombinant soluble LAMP1 can be purified following the glycoRNA isolation method… thus representing a considerable source of glycans in samples of glycoRNA”
Still waiting for a journal publication of either preprint.
“we further demonstrate that recombinant soluble LAMP1 can be purified following the glycoRNA isolation method… thus representing a considerable source of glycans in samples of glycoRNA”
Still waiting for a journal publication of either preprint.
March 18, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Second preprint casting doubt on glycoRNA.
“we further demonstrate that recombinant soluble LAMP1 can be purified following the glycoRNA isolation method… thus representing a considerable source of glycans in samples of glycoRNA”
Still waiting for a journal publication of either preprint.
“we further demonstrate that recombinant soluble LAMP1 can be purified following the glycoRNA isolation method… thus representing a considerable source of glycans in samples of glycoRNA”
Still waiting for a journal publication of either preprint.
There are 9 monosaccharide building blocks in human glycans. Next step is learning their names...😀
November 19, 2024 at 5:50 AM
There are 9 monosaccharide building blocks in human glycans. Next step is learning their names...😀
infectious disease. An interesting fact that some may not know is that viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, use sugar molecules on their surfaces to hide from the immune system, much like a protective coating (sugar coatings aren't only for candies). Now, researchers have developed a UNIVERSAL coronavirus
March 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
infectious disease. An interesting fact that some may not know is that viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, use sugar molecules on their surfaces to hide from the immune system, much like a protective coating (sugar coatings aren't only for candies). Now, researchers have developed a UNIVERSAL coronavirus
Our work on Akkermansia muciniphila utilisation of host glycans is out today. Huge thanks to our team and wonderful collaborators. Super proud of this one! 💫 @lucyicm.bsky.social @imibirmingham.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion - Nature Microbiology
Biochemical characterization of 66 carbohydrate-active enzymes from the gut microorganism Akkermansia muciniphila reveals that these enzymes can break down a range of host glycans, including mucin, wh...
www.nature.com
January 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Our work on Akkermansia muciniphila utilisation of host glycans is out today. Huge thanks to our team and wonderful collaborators. Super proud of this one! 💫 @lucyicm.bsky.social @imibirmingham.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
OUT NOW: Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion
@lucyicm.bsky.social @cassiebakshani.bsky.social
#microsky 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@lucyicm.bsky.social @cassiebakshani.bsky.social
#microsky 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion - Nature Microbiology
Biochemical characterization of 66 carbohydrate-active enzymes from the gut microorganism Akkermansia muciniphila reveals that these enzymes can break down a range of host glycans, including mucin, wh...
www.nature.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:58 PM
OUT NOW: Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion
@lucyicm.bsky.social @cassiebakshani.bsky.social
#microsky 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@lucyicm.bsky.social @cassiebakshani.bsky.social
#microsky 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Ångström-resolution imaging of cell-surface glycans
Now published in Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩
@natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Now published in Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩
@natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Ångström-resolution imaging of cell-surface glycans
Now published in Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩
@natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Now published in Nature Nanotechnology! 🤩
@natnano.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Picture this: your fav protein-protein interaction is *entirely* dependent on,
1) glycans 💥
2) the type of glycans 🤯💜
Check out this doi.org/10.1016/j.jb... 🔝 #glycotime fresh off the press in JBC led by Nicki Packer and Len Harrison 🇦🇺 + us 🇮🇪🇬🇧 + @ethangbaus.bsky.social 🇦🇺
🧵1/5
1) glycans 💥
2) the type of glycans 🤯💜
Check out this doi.org/10.1016/j.jb... 🔝 #glycotime fresh off the press in JBC led by Nicki Packer and Len Harrison 🇦🇺 + us 🇮🇪🇬🇧 + @ethangbaus.bsky.social 🇦🇺
🧵1/5
February 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Picture this: your fav protein-protein interaction is *entirely* dependent on,
1) glycans 💥
2) the type of glycans 🤯💜
Check out this doi.org/10.1016/j.jb... 🔝 #glycotime fresh off the press in JBC led by Nicki Packer and Len Harrison 🇦🇺 + us 🇮🇪🇬🇧 + @ethangbaus.bsky.social 🇦🇺
🧵1/5
1) glycans 💥
2) the type of glycans 🤯💜
Check out this doi.org/10.1016/j.jb... 🔝 #glycotime fresh off the press in JBC led by Nicki Packer and Len Harrison 🇦🇺 + us 🇮🇪🇬🇧 + @ethangbaus.bsky.social 🇦🇺
🧵1/5
to develop vaccines for the treatment of various cancers. They recently published two studies on glycan targets on cancer cells and enzymes linked to the synthesis of glycans on cancer cells in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research community eagerly anticipates the outcomes of
March 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
to develop vaccines for the treatment of various cancers. They recently published two studies on glycan targets on cancer cells and enzymes linked to the synthesis of glycans on cancer cells in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research community eagerly anticipates the outcomes of
1/
Hi 🦋! Did you know? Glycans—complex sugar structures—decorate almost every protein processed by the ER/Golgi. These N-glycans coat our cells, playing critical roles in cell interactions and immune processes. 🍬 Curious about how they vary? Let’s dive in! #GlycoTime
Hi 🦋! Did you know? Glycans—complex sugar structures—decorate almost every protein processed by the ER/Golgi. These N-glycans coat our cells, playing critical roles in cell interactions and immune processes. 🍬 Curious about how they vary? Let’s dive in! #GlycoTime
November 19, 2024 at 9:50 AM
1/
Hi 🦋! Did you know? Glycans—complex sugar structures—decorate almost every protein processed by the ER/Golgi. These N-glycans coat our cells, playing critical roles in cell interactions and immune processes. 🍬 Curious about how they vary? Let’s dive in! #GlycoTime
Hi 🦋! Did you know? Glycans—complex sugar structures—decorate almost every protein processed by the ER/Golgi. These N-glycans coat our cells, playing critical roles in cell interactions and immune processes. 🍬 Curious about how they vary? Let’s dive in! #GlycoTime
Great to see Nature taking glycosylation seriously with the Symbol Nomenclature For Glycans. Every journal should have these in their pre-publication checks.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/glycans/snfg...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/glycans/snfg...
April 9, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Great to see Nature taking glycosylation seriously with the Symbol Nomenclature For Glycans. Every journal should have these in their pre-publication checks.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/glycans/snfg...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/glycans/snfg...
If you are interested or working in #structuralbiology, as you see any protein (yes, *any*), you should be thinking: is it glycosylated? The answer is likely to be yes! You can predict N-glycosylation sites and rebuild all types of glycans with ReGlyco glycoshape.org 😌
Check out the example ⬇️ 1/2
Check out the example ⬇️ 1/2
November 18, 2024 at 8:55 AM
If you are interested or working in #structuralbiology, as you see any protein (yes, *any*), you should be thinking: is it glycosylated? The answer is likely to be yes! You can predict N-glycosylation sites and rebuild all types of glycans with ReGlyco glycoshape.org 😌
Check out the example ⬇️ 1/2
Check out the example ⬇️ 1/2
Hi everybody! I am super excited to share the work done during my PhD published in @nature today! We describe a new mechanism of self- vs. non-self RNA discrimination by showing how N-glycans shield glycoRNAs from stimulating endosomal RNA sensors www.nature.com/articles/s41...
RNA N-glycosylation enables immune evasion and homeostatic efferocytosis - Nature
N-glycans on glycoRNAs prevent innate immune sensing of endogenous small RNAs, and the natural mechanism they use demonstrates how glycoRNAs exist on the cell surface and in the endosomal network with...
www.nature.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Hi everybody! I am super excited to share the work done during my PhD published in @nature today! We describe a new mechanism of self- vs. non-self RNA discrimination by showing how N-glycans shield glycoRNAs from stimulating endosomal RNA sensors www.nature.com/articles/s41...
✨✨ It's #glycotime for #HIV Env ✨✨
N-linked glycans modulate flexibility & MPER epitope exposure #glycotime
Huge effort by @shehata92.bsky.social @lcasalino88.bsky.social with cryoET of Env in VLPs by @thevillalab.bsky.social & team 💪
Would love feedback!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
N-linked glycans modulate flexibility & MPER epitope exposure #glycotime
Huge effort by @shehata92.bsky.social @lcasalino88.bsky.social with cryoET of Env in VLPs by @thevillalab.bsky.social & team 💪
Would love feedback!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
March 28, 2025 at 4:23 AM
✨✨ It's #glycotime for #HIV Env ✨✨
N-linked glycans modulate flexibility & MPER epitope exposure #glycotime
Huge effort by @shehata92.bsky.social @lcasalino88.bsky.social with cryoET of Env in VLPs by @thevillalab.bsky.social & team 💪
Would love feedback!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
N-linked glycans modulate flexibility & MPER epitope exposure #glycotime
Huge effort by @shehata92.bsky.social @lcasalino88.bsky.social with cryoET of Env in VLPs by @thevillalab.bsky.social & team 💪
Would love feedback!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...