GlycoNoVi

Noroviruses infect host cells by first interacting with specific sugars (or glycans) that are present on the host cells' surface, called histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). This interaction occurs through the norovirus major capsid protein VP1 and, more specifically, through its protruding domain (P-domain). Therefore, studying the norovirus P-domain is essential to better understand how noroviruses bind to and infect host cells and to design glycan-based drugs that can hinder this interaction. By using P-domains of norovirus strains of interest produced in bacteria, Luca Pisapia [DC5] is currently studying how these domains interact with different human glycans in CNRS (Grenoble, France). To achieve this, Luca is using different biophysical techniques, such as titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, biolayer interferometry, and protein crystallography. In the end, the aim of this project is to unravel the structural aspects of the binding of norovirus strains of interest to different glycans and to help other GlycoNoVi Research Fellows designing glycan-based drugs that could prevent the norovirus-HBGA interaction. Get to know more about his research (and more!) in this video that he made for you. https://lnkd.in/djJtf5ve

What an exciting time at the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca! 🔬 🇮🇹 The 16th TeCSBI PhD meeting has concluded on the 18th of September - full of remarkable presentations and lectures! I am grateful I could participate and represent our company React4life!

The second GlycoNoVi workshop has been organised between the 3rd and the 6th of June in the wonderful city of Ghent, Belgium. As before, candidates partook in an extensive and robust selection of courses provided by the PIs of the project. Along with training, candidates also presented their first results which was a good opportunity not only to share the progress so far, but to foster discussion and new ideas between the DCs and the PIs.  We also welcomed the project officer of the project of the European Union, Helena Magliarelli, with whom key points of the project has been discussed. Members of the consortium visited the facility of Bio Base Europe pilot plant, a unique complex focusing on the production, process development and scale-up of biomatter, in a reliable, sustainable way. The facility is co-operating with a multitude of start-ups and established companies, bringing renewable technologies into the market. The visit was not only interesting, but highly inspirational for not only the candidates, but all of the participants as well. This concludes the second workshop of the GlycoNoVi project, the next meeting will be held in Sevilla, in late January.   

Human milk has numerous benefits for the development of breastfed infants. Besides lactose and lipids (or fats), human milk is rich in more than 200 different sugars named human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). These sugars are known to play a pivotal role in the development of the infant's immune system and even in the protection from bacterial or viral infections. Past research has shown that some HMOs are able to prevent norovirus infection by acting as decoys of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). However, using HMOs and their analogues as norovirus antiviral drugs is not as easy as it sounds since the available synthetic routes of some of these sugars are still unknown or very expensive. To make this dream a reality, Dileep Paladugu (DC4) is currently working at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and DSM-Firmenich on building a panel of HMOs of interest that will be used by other GlycoNoVi's Research Fellows, and on scaling up their production to grams. Get to know more about his research (and more!) in this video that he made for you. #glyconovi #msca #eu

Excited to share that I recently attended and presented at the second GlycoNoVi workshop in Ghent, Belgium, as a part of Marie Curie Fellowship 🌟 Grateful for the support and opportunity provided by the Marie Curie program, Glycom A/S and DTU - Technical University of Denmark and eager to apply these insights to further my research and contribute to the scientific community. #GlycoNovi #MarieCurieFellowship #Glycoscience #Norovirus #FucosylatedCarbohydrates #IntellectualProperty #Research #Innovation #ProfessionalDevelopment

🚀 Update on the GlycoNoVi EU Project! 🚀 Our doctoral fellow, Gergő Borka, recently attended the second workshop of the Glyconovi project in Ghent, sharing the progress we're making in the development of a novel dynamic co-culture system in #MIVO. This innovative approach promises to push the boundaries of current research and advance our understanding of the role of glycans in human norovirus infection. Stay tuned for more updates!

🚀 Exciting PhD Opportunity at the University of Lübeck! 🌍 Join the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctorate Network (EDN) “GlycoNoVi” and contribute to groundbreaking research on the role of glycans in human norovirus infection. 📅 Application Deadline: June 23, 2024 📍 Location: Lübeck, Germany 🔬 Focus: Investigate the impact of glycans and milk-oligosaccharides on norovirus using advanced 3D-cell culture technologies. Requirements: Master's degree in biology, molecular life science, biochemistry, or related field Practical experience in cell culture and cloning Proficiency in English Do not have spent more than 12 month in Germany in the past three years. Don't miss this chance to advance your research career in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment! https://lnkd.in/djKNsMM5 #GlycoNoVi #MSCA #EU #PhD #PhDResearch #PhDlife

To infect host cells, noroviruses bind a class of sugars known as histo-blood group (HBGA) antigens. Different noroviruses bind different HBGA antigens; therefore, synthesizing a large panel of these sugars is fundamental to later investigate their binding and binding-blocking properties against noroviruses. Marc Jeremie Punzalan [DC3] is currently exploring new ways to synthesize HBGA antigens using enzymatic and fermantative strategies at Inbiose in Gent, Belgium. Get to know more about his research in this video that he made for you. #glyconovi #msca #eu

Somsekhar Sarkar [DC2] has recently started to investigate new ways to chemically synthesize sugars that bind noroviruses. What if these sugars could be used as antiviral drugs and improve (or even save) the lives of thousands of people per year? He is working at University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Get to know more about his research (and more!) in this video that he made for you. #glyconovi #msca #eu

Somsekhar Sarkar [DC2] has recently started to investigate new ways to chemically synthesize sugars that bind noroviruses. What if these sugars could be used as antiviral drugs and improve (or even save) the lives of thousands of people per year? He is working at University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Get to know more about his research (and more!) in this video that he made for you. #glyconovi #msca #eu