Pathogen glycan array update: February 2009 After three years of careful planning and significant input from Participating Investigators, the CFG announced the release of a pathogen glycan array in September 2008. This array was intended for investigators wishing to screen mammalian glycan-binding proteins in order to explore the roles of these proteins in innate immune detection of microbial carbohydrates. The pathogen glycan array consisted of 48 bacterial polysaccharides (BPS) and proved to be a highly accurate and sensitive assay for GBP specificity in preliminary screening studies. A second version of the array was already in development. However, before any screening requests could be processed, funding for the pathogen glycan array was cut and the CFG was ordered to cease development and use of this array immediately. The CFG is currently seeking alternative funding for the pathogen glycan array. This site will be updated as more information becomes available. Screening Although the CFG's pathogen array was discontinued, approximately 100 initial array slides remain. To apply these most effectively toward meeting the CFG's overall goal, the Steering Committee (SC) considered a pool of 75 specific and general suggestions made in the October 2008 PI survey, three Resource Requests, and several personal communications. In their January 14, 2009 meeting, the SC decided to give pathogen array screening priority to representative galectins, C-type lectins, and siglecs that are important to CFG and have been shown to recognize pathogens. If you have input regarding the selection of high priority siglecs and C-type lectins or could provide sources for any of these glycan-binding proteins, please contact your Subgroup Leader via email or Nature Network forum. More information on the pathogen glycan array Bacterial polysaccharides obtained by the CFG Antibodies and antisera Proposed nomenclature Design and validation of printed pathogen glycan array Preliminary screening data |
Glycans obtained for the Pathogen Array
