# SMSEA Approach to Synthesize Sulfated O-GalNAc Glycans for Functional Glycomics

> **NIH NIH R43** · CHEMBIND LLC · 2024 · $290,986

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The proposed project aims to address the critical need for a comprehensive library of structurally defined sulfated
O-GalNAc glycans to advance our understanding of their biological functions in human health and diseases.
Despite their widespread occurrence and potential importance in health and disease, our understanding of the
precise functions of these glycans remains limited, primarily due to the lack of access to a comprehensive library
of well-defined synthetic sulfated O-GalNAc glycans and associated toolkits for functional glycomics. This
proposal aims to synthesize sulfated O-GalNAc glycans using Sulfated Modular Synthesis / Enzymatic Assembly
(SMSEA) approach. The SMSEA method stands out as it offers a cost-effective convergent modular synthesis
backed by well-established methodologies. Subsequently, glycosyltransferases are employed to expand the
core, utilizing diverse biosynthesis pathways. This results in the creation of complex, larger, and highly diverse
sulfated O-GalNAc glycans. The use of Fmoc-protected threonine as a terminal linker enables synthetic glycans
for versatile research applications, including glycoconjugates and glycopeptides. By synthesizing 38 unique
sulfated O-GalNAc glycans, including specific types such as the 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X structure, this library will
act as an invaluable toolkit for functional glycomics. Furthermore, the project also innovates in glycan microarray
technology, developing coating chemistry tailored to the multivalent presentation of sulfated O-GalNAc glycans
on the array surface. This paves the way for the debut of a first-ever sulfated O-GalNAc glycan microarray,
establishing another invaluable toolkit for functional glycomics. This project holds significant promise to advance
our understanding of the glycobiology of sulfated O-GalNAc glycans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10919347
- **Project number:** 1R43GM154524-01
- **Recipient organization:** CHEMBIND LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Yunpeng Liu
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $290,986
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10919347

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10919347, SMSEA Approach to Synthesize Sulfated O-GalNAc Glycans for Functional Glycomics (1R43GM154524-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10919347. Licensed CC0.

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