Glycan Microarray Analysis

Glycan Microarray Assay Services

We offer glycan microarray assay service to help researchers to exploit the glycan-binding interactions. The glycan microarray platform can analyze various biological samples, for example, proteins, antibodies, cells, cell lysate, serum, vesicles, bacteria, or viral particles. Our experts can help you tailor a plan that best fits your research needs. From study design to product/service selection, sample collection, report, and biological interpretation, our experts guide you in every step. Your research success is our goal.

Our Process

1. Service Request
2. Study Design
3. Service Quotation
4. Shipping your samples
5. Assay
6. Data Analysis
7. Report

Knowledge Base: How to determine the glycan-binding specificity of a glycan-binding protein (GBP)?

Carbohydrates are present in virtually all life in the form of free oligosaccharides, glycolipids, glycoproteins, and other glycoconjugates. A subset of carbohydrates known as glycans participates in various biological events such as pathogenesis, humoral immunity, and HIV glycan shielding. Glycans also serve as therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy. Glycan-mediated cell signaling is complex, and binding is often multivalent. For a given glycan-binding protein (GBP), there are likely multiple binding sites, each with its own specificity and binding affinity. GBPs can be divided into two categories, external GBPs, and internal GBPs. The external GBPs (e.g., plant lectins) can recognize mammalian glycans from different organisms. The internal GBPs (e.g., Siglecs) recognize mammalian glycans from the same organism. The glycan microarray technology is developed to evaluate the binding interactions between glycans and GBPs. It offers a comprehensive readout of glycan-binding specificities.

To determine the binding specificity of a GBP, a glycan microarray will be created. In this process, ultra-high-quality glass slides with minimal autofluorescence are coated with our patented substrates to immobilize glycans at the surface. Individual glycans sourced naturally or chemo/enzymatically synthesized are then covalently attached to the substrates to create the microarray for downstream analysis.

During the binding assay, the array are blocked using our proprietary blocking buffer, which blocks active substrates. Glycan-binding proteins (GBPs) are then introduced to the array. A detection reagent (e.g., fluorescently labeled antibody) is used to capture the bindings of GBPs. At the end of the assay, the fluorescent signals are quantified in relative fluorescent units (RFU). Various bioinformatics software tools are used to analyze the data to determine the binding specificities of GBPs.