RTG 464: Glycoconjugates: Synthesis, Analysis, Structure and Function

The research training group "Glycoconjugates" unites Chemists, Biologists, Biochemists and Physicians in a common interdisciplinary teaching and research unit. It is closely realted with the collaborative research centre 470 "Glycostructures in Biological Systems". It is the goal to train the Ph.D. students in all aspects of glycoscience and not leave them to their own field of research. Especially the knowledge base in synthesis, analysis, structure, and function of carbohydrates of glycoconjugates with respect to different biological systems will be taught. It is a special goal of the research training group to educate a sensitivity to the problems of other scientists working in that area.The following topics are being researched: chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis of glycoconjugates, structural parameters in X-ray and NMR structure determination, conformational preferences, mechanisms of catalysis, enzyme and receptor ligand interactions, QSAR relationships, cloning and production of recombinant glycoconjugates, as well as immunology and signal transduction with glycoconjugates. As methods the following are being used: Isolation and purification of glycoconjugates, X-ray, NMR, synthesis and modification of glycoconjugates, binding studies, capillary electrophoresis, HPAE chromatography, Maldi-TOF MS, MD simulations, computer modeling, and molecular biology. A braod program of study is being implemented.