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Research Themes

Research Themes
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GlycoNet’s research program is focused on four themes – cancer, chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. All these areas are supported by GlycoNet Integrated Services that provide extensive infrastructure to drive our research and technology forward.

Our Focused Research Themes

Cancer

Chronic Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Neurodegenerative Diseases

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Cancer

Our cancer research theme brings together laboratory scientists, clinicians, and industry manufacturers to translate biomedical research to tangible health applications. This theme aims to deliver impact and patient benefit through:

Examining how glycosylation patterns on cells correlate to cancer initiation and progression
Developing novel methods for early diagnoses and treatment for diverse tumor types
Understanding how cancer cells adapt and modulate the immune system and translating the discoveries to new cancer therapeutics

Theme Leaders

Yves St-Pierre

Karla Williams

Read about our cancer projects. >>

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Chronic diseases

This theme addresses a range of diseases and medical procedures that are responsible for a major and growing healthcare burden for human and the livestock industry in Canada. Studies in this theme aim to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various illnesses, in addition to

Exploring the dynamic glycan ecosystem in the human and animal gut microbiome to treat intestinal diseases
Developing glycan-based therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular diseases

Theme Leaders

Harry Brumer

Lori West

Read about our chronic diseases projects. >>

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Infectious diseases

Researchers at GlycoNet examine the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of infectious diseases. There is significant depth in research on immunology, vaccines, multi-drug resistance, host-pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of inflammation. With cutting-edge programs and industrial collaborations, we are addressing the unmet medical needs through:

Developing high throughput technology to accelerate the discovery of therapeutics for infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria
Examining the glycans produced by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and translating the discoveries to treatments for cystic fibrosis
Employing non-antibiotic strategies to maintain bird intestinal health
Understanding how glycan-processing enzymes modulate the immune system to respond to different infections

Theme Leaders

Donald Sheppard

Valerie Waters

Read about our infectious diseases projects. >>

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Neurodegenerative diseases

Synergizing clinical and laboratory research, GlycoNet scientists are uncovering new properties of the healthy and diseased nervous system and identifying novel diagnostics, therapies as well as preventative measures to help patients who are susceptible to neurodegeneration. Our activities in this theme embrace the whole spectrum of translational research from basic science to clinical trials, including:

Understanding the role of glycan-binding proteins and enzymes in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Developing glycan-based neuroprotective agent to treat Huntington’s disease and neuroinflammation
Conducting gene therapy clinical trials for children, teens, and adults who have Sandhoff and Tay-Sachs diseases