Glycoscience

The science of cell-surface sugars.

Every cell has a coat of sugars. Bowhead studies how to protect this surface, including an investigational polysialic acid colloid for organ preservation.

Investigational · Not approved for clinical use · Patent filing

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Illustration of branching sugar chains extending from a cell surface

In plain language

What is glycoscience?

Glycoscience studies the sugars attached to cells and proteins. These chains, called glycans, help shape how cell surfaces work.

One sugar-rich layer is the glycocalyx (gly-koh-KAY-liks): a coat on the outside of many cells. Its structure can change during stress and disease.

Glycan

A chain or branch of sugar molecules attached to a cell or protein.

Sialic acid

A family of sugars often found at the ends of cell-surface chains.

Polysialic acid

A chain made from linked sialic acid units.

Background reading: Essentials of Glycobiology: Sialic Acids · Lewis et al., SNFG nomenclature (2023)

The research question

Can a cell-surface sugar help protect tissue?

Organs can be stored outside the body before transplantation. Preservation fluids help maintain tissue during that period.

Bowhead is studying a polysialic acid colloid designed as an alternative to synthetic products and to be non-immunogenic. Non-immunogenicity is a research goal, not an established result.

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