GlycoNet scientists attend first annual trilateral glycomics symposium

By Chardelle Prevatt 

Glycomics, or the study of carbohydrates in biological systems, is experiencing a surge of activity due to the many ways in which carbohydrates impact human health. In December 2016, GlycoNet Scientific Director Dr. Todd Lowary and three GlycoNet scientists attended an International Union in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB)-sponsored symposium entitled “IUBMB Frontiers in Glycoscience: Host-pathogen Interactions” at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. At the event, GlycoNet scientists—Drs. Sachiko Sato, Don Sheppard, and Chris Whitfield—delivered talks related to glycomics and antimicrobials.

“The meeting and interactions were a tremendous success. It was a great opportunity to develop closer ties between the glycomics communities in Canada, Australia, and Taiwan,” Dr. Lowary said. “We are continuing to have discussions on further research collaborations between the three communities, with a particular focus on trainee research exchanges and core services.”

The event was the first of four annual international symposia focused on glycoscience. These events are designed to promote collaborative research between Canada, Australia, and Taiwan with each year highlighting a different glycomics theme. The symposium will be held again in Taiwan in 2017, Australia in 2018, and Canada in 2019.

“It makes sense that we join forces,” Dr. Whitfield added. “These three countries are located around the Pacific Rim, they are approximately the same population size, and all have thriving glycomics communities. We can learn a great deal from each other.”

For more information about the IUBMB Frontiers in Glycoscience: Host-pathogen Interactions Symposium, click here.

About GlycoNet
The Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet) is a pan-Canadian, multidisciplinary research network aiming to deliver solutions to important health issues and improve the quality of life of Canadians through the study of glycomics. GlycoNet is funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence, a Government of Canada program that supports large-scale, academic-led research networks to build research capacity and accelerate the creation of new knowledge in a specific research area.

About IUBMB
The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB), founded in 1955, unites biochemists and molecular biologists in 77 countries that belong to the Union as an Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body which is represented as a biochemical society, a national research council or an academy of sciences. The Union is devoted to promoting research and education in biochemistry and molecular biology throughout the world and gives particular attention to areas where the subject is still in its early development.

About Academia Sinica
Academia Sinica is a leading academic institution in Taipei, Taiwan, China. Founded initially in 1928 to promote scholarly research and undertake academic research in the three research disciplines of mathematics and physical sciences, life sciences, and humanities and social sciences, the Academia now has 24 research institutes and seven research centres, with about 900 research fellows and technical staff and 600 post-doctoral research fellows.