Deciphering the bacterial glycocode

Glycoproteins are ubiquitous biomolecules involved in many biological processes ranging from immunity recognition to cancer development. In eukaryotes, glycosylation is known to impart novel biological and physical roles by providing labels for cell-cell communication and assisting in protein stabilisation. However, the role of glycosylation in bacteria and pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Recent evidence for protein glycosylation being central to the survival and pathogenesis of many bacteria suggests it is an ideal target for disabling them. Professors Dell and Wren will investigate the molecular, structural and functional basis of glycosylation in pathogenic bacteria, which will provide new avenues for antibiotic and vaccine design.