Automated Glycan Assembly: A Perspective

Abstract

The intrinsic complexity of carbohydrate structures has hampered access to pure glycans and hence impeded progress in the glycosciences. Automated Glycan Assembly (AGA) has facilitated the procurement of synthetic glycans, to be used in diagnostics, vaccine development, enzyme characterization and structure–function relationship studies. A general approach for obtaining complex glycans from mammalian, bacterial, fungal and plant classes provides molecular tools for glycobiology research. Recent advances in AGA technology pave the way for the production of novel carbohydrate materials. This perspective describes the state-of-the art of AGA and aspects of the technology where additional improvements are needed.

The Emerging Role of the Mammalian Glycocalyx in Functional Membrane Organization and Immune System Regulation

“…Due to the intricate stereochemistry and the large number of functional groups, the synthesis of glycoconjugates is not trivial. However, pioneering work by the labs of Peter Seeberger, Geert-Jan Boons, Chi-Huey Wong, and many others, has significantly simplified this problem, and many glycoconjugates can be synthesized automatically nowadays (Schmaltz et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2013;Hahm et al, 2017;Budhadev et al, 2019;Guberman and Seeberger, 2019).…”

Materials science based on synthetic polysaccharides

“…Automated Glycan Assembly (AGA) enables rapid access to a multitude of biologically relevant glycans, reducing effort and time. [14][15][16][17] AGA relies on the iterative coupling of monosaccharide building blocks (BBs) on a solid support. Each BB is equipped with a leaving group and a temporary protecting group that is easily removed after glycosylation to release a free hydroxyl group that serves as the new glycosyl acceptor in the next coupling cycle.…”

Intrinsic Issues in the Assembly of 1,2‐Linked Oligosaccharides

“…Thus, there is a clear need of researching novel protecting groups with such bifunctionality. Progress referred to this subject will be of great relevance for those glycoscientists who investigate and develop oligosaccharide automated assembly technologies using chemical methods …”