Unravelling the Sugar Code

• This entails discovering the precise functions of all sugar chains in all the cells & tissues of human (or other species).
• Structures have to be established first, then functions are investigated.
• Major areas now being explored include:
    

1. Functions in the brain
2. Roles in development, aging, stem cells
3. Roles in cell-cell adhesion, cell-cell communication & cell signalling (these are altered in cancer cells)
4. Roles in specific diseases (e.g. cancer, Alzheimer disease)