News
Probing Synthetic Glycan-Protein Interactions
The Gibson Group, in Collaboration with Haddleton Group, have probed the interactions between synthetic glycan mimics (glycopolymers) with a model lectin using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. This work links together surface-adhesion assays with solution inhibitory studies to show that the ability of a multivalent glycomimetic to span multiple binding sites of a protein gives rise to a large increase in affiinity (Ka), but does not increase its inhibitory activity to the same extent. This implies that in the design of potent anti-adhesion therapies complimentary techniques must be used in evaluating 'activity' to avoid false positive/negative results.
Read the paper in RSC Polymer Chemistry here 
Read more about the Gibson groups work at interface of materials/biology/medicine.
