# New Catalytic Methods for the Synthesis of Biomedically Relevant Carbohydrates

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2020 · $308,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Carbohydrates (also known as saccharides or glycans) occupy a central role among biomolecules due
to their participation in a number of signaling and recognition processes in biology. Moreover,
carbohydrates are essential structural components of numerous vaccines, anti-diabetic and anti-viral
drugs, and anti-tumor drug candidates. Despite significant advances in chemical glycosylation methods,
general technologies which offer a precise control of anomeric configuration of the glycosidic bond are in
demand. In this proposal we aim to develop methods and strategies for efficient and practical synthesis
of bioactive oligosaccharides. In Aim 1, we will expand the toolset of nucleophilic glycosyl donors. In Aim
2, we will develop and apply oxidative glycosylation method for the preparation of oligosaccharides with
defined anomeric configuration. This novel method will establish a robust protocol for which the
configuration of the anomeric bond is pre-defined in the configuration of nucleophilic glycosyl donor and
is independent from the structure of the carbohydrate chain, protective groups, and alcohol acceptors.
This method, in combination with C-glycosylation, will address the critical challenges of oligosaccharides
synthesis and can be incorporated into automated and high-throughput synthesis. Given the generality
and a predictable nature of the glycosylation step, this new technology can be used by researchers with
minimal training in organic synthesis, and the discoveries of this study can have important impact on the
development of new diagnostic tools and therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969511
- **Project number:** 5U01GM125284-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** Maciej Walczak
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $308,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969511

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969511, New Catalytic Methods for the Synthesis of Biomedically Relevant Carbohydrates (5U01GM125284-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969511. Licensed CC0.

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