# Chemoenzymatic synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2020 · $118,719

## Abstract

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides
Project Summary
The bacterial cell surface is decorated with remarkable variations of polysaccharide structures including capsular
polysaccharides (CPS), O-polysaccharides (O-PS), and exopolysaccharides (EPS). These polysaccharides
mediate interactions between the bacterium and its host. Many are important virulence factors, adhesion
mediators, or immunomodulators. Because their composition differs dramatically from that of host glycans,
multiple bacterial polysaccharides have been used to develop vaccines to protect human from a diverse array of
bacterial infectious diseases. To date, these polysaccharides have been commonly isolated from the bacterial
cultures and therefore consist of heterogeneous mixtures. Structurally defined polysaccharides with defined
numbers of repeating units are not readily available. With the combined expertise of three groups on efficient
one-pot multienzyme chemoenzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide repeating units, polymerization of
lipooligosaccharide repeating units for the formation of Wzy-dependent bacterial polysaccharides and
polysaccharide synthase-catalyzed production of bacterial polysaccharides, structurally defined polysaccharides
with designated numbers of oligosaccharide repeating units will be synthesized. These compounds are valuable
probes for glycan microarray studies and candidates for the development of diagnostics, immunomodulators,
and vaccines. Optimal storage and reaction conditions will be identified. Enzymes and reagents will be
assembled in convenient-to-store and easy-to-use kits. Protocols for synthesis and purification will be
established and shared by publication of papers and on a designated website. These kits will allow
non-specialists to carry out the synthesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10071314
- **Project number:** 3U01GM125288-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura L Kiessling
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $118,719
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10071314

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10071314, Chemoenzymatic synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides (3U01GM125288-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10071314. Licensed CC0.

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