Final Activity Report Summary - GLYCOGOLD (Exploration of the nature and potential of glyco-nano-particles)
Many signalling and regulation process in our cells depend on very specific recognition of bio-molecules and the specific nature of their interactions. Often carbohydrates (sugar or glycan are largely synonyms) or carbohydrate elements in larger molecules are involved in these mechanisms. Earlier research had provided know-how on methods to prepare nano-particles with a metallic core and specific carbohydrate molecules on the outside. These nano particles have sometimes very interesting properties.
The exploration of the potential of gold Glyco-nano-particles (GNPs) has been central in the project. We studied the potential of GNPs as a probe for deepening the understanding of biomolecular interactions and as an instrument to solve biomedical problems. We managed to refine the chemical methods to make tailor made nano-particules where we are now able to include a wide variety of functional molecules to the particle. Functionalised GNPs typically have a metallic core of gold (or of other metals or even semiconductors) covered with multiple spacered carbohydrate ligands. These particles can be tailor made to study and optimise the functioning of the active compound, to include special tags for diagnostic purposes, and to achieve targeted delivery.
The following targets have been pursued.
1 To construct well characterised GNPs and their interacting partners.
2 To explore and apply advanced biophysical characterisation methods for GNPs.
3 To explore and apply in-vitro / ex-vivo / in-vivo biomolecular interaction assays.
4 To deepen the understanding of carbohydrate-protein and carbohydrate-carbohydrate biomolecular interactions.
5 To optimise and innovate the design and construction of GNPs.
6 To explore potential biomolecular applications of GNPs.
7 To integrate the results and to draw conclusions on scope and limitations for the use of GNPs.
The exploration of the potential of gold Glyco-nano-particles (GNPs) has been central in the project. We studied the potential of GNPs as a probe for deepening the understanding of biomolecular interactions and as an instrument to solve biomedical problems. We managed to refine the chemical methods to make tailor made nano-particules where we are now able to include a wide variety of functional molecules to the particle. Functionalised GNPs typically have a metallic core of gold (or of other metals or even semiconductors) covered with multiple spacered carbohydrate ligands. These particles can be tailor made to study and optimise the functioning of the active compound, to include special tags for diagnostic purposes, and to achieve targeted delivery.
The following targets have been pursued.
1 To construct well characterised GNPs and their interacting partners.
2 To explore and apply advanced biophysical characterisation methods for GNPs.
3 To explore and apply in-vitro / ex-vivo / in-vivo biomolecular interaction assays.
4 To deepen the understanding of carbohydrate-protein and carbohydrate-carbohydrate biomolecular interactions.
5 To optimise and innovate the design and construction of GNPs.
6 To explore potential biomolecular applications of GNPs.
7 To integrate the results and to draw conclusions on scope and limitations for the use of GNPs.