Glycoscience

Focusing on 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

Discuss research Read the science

Illustration of branching sugar chains extending from a cell surface

In plain language

What is glycoscience?

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

This sugar-rich layer is also called 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 or polymer 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 organ tissue during that period.

Bowhead is developing polysialic acid as a non-immunogenic natural colloid designed as an alternative or replacement of existing oncotic agents found in preservation fluids, which are mainly synthetic and immunogenic.

Status