Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

NMR of glycans ON and OFF cells

Global Congress on Biochemistry, Glycomics & Amino Acids

December 08-09, 2016 San Antonio, USA

Daron I Freedberg

Center for Biological Evaluation & Research/FDA, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Biochem Anal Biochem

Abstract:

Glycans are ubiquitous in nature and participate in a wide variety of cellular processes. They make up bacterial capsules, play roles in cell-cell interactions such as immune responses, fertilization, inflammation and cell growth, influence protein folding and stability, and may be involved in signal transduction. Given the variety of monosaccharides, linkage types and functional group modifications, oligosaccharides alone have potential structural complexity unmatched by any other biomolecule. Despite their importance, glycan structure-function relationships, or �??glycan code�?�, are poorly understood. We are delineating carbohydrate three-dimensional solution structure by NMR to gain insight into how glycans function, which should facilitate development of vaccines, drug delivery systems, and antibiotics of the future. Our goal is to unveil carbohydrate structure-function relationships using heteronuclear multidimensional NMR to delineate oligo- and polysaccharide conformation and dynamics. I will present results of our studies of α, 2->8 polysialic acid on cells and of a 15N, and 13C α, 2->8-labeled tetramer in-vitro. I will also discuss new methods for directly detecting and inferring hydrogen bonding in glycans dissolved in aqueous solution.

Biography :

Darón I Freedberg's research focus has been in the experience in NMR and conformational analysis. He obtained his Bachelors from UCSD in Chemistry where he worked on Stereodynamics and conformational analysis under the mentorship of Jay Siegel. He obtained his PhD from UCLA where he studied conformational isotope effects, Stereoelectronic effects, 3He NMR under the joint mentorship of Frank Anet and Craig Merlic. He moved to the NIH where he was a Post-doctoral fellow studying Structure and dynamics of HIV Protease inhibitor complexes (and some carbohydrate structure on the side) under the mentorship of Dennis Torchia. Throughout his training he has always managed to do a few carbohydrate projects and was always intrigued with the complexity in these systems. Currently, he is combining his expertise in stereochemistry, conformational analysis and biomolecular structure and dynamics to converge on analyzing structure and dynamics studies of oligo- and polysaccharides at the FDA, where he has been since 1997.

Email: daron.freedberg@fda.hhs.gov