websites

The development of a variety of modern technologies used to explore the structure of sugar chains has opened up a new frontier in molecular biology called glycobiology. This term was first created in 1988 by Rademacher, Parekh, and Dwek in order to label the union of the more traditional variations of carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry with the modern approach to cellular and molecular biology of glycans.

Defined in broad terms, Glycobiology is the research of the structure, biosynthesis, and biology of saccharides (sugar chains or glycans) that are widely distributed in Nature. This abundant distribution has made Glycobiology one of the quickest growing fields in the biomedical sciences. It has a deep rooted importance in basic research, biomedicine, biotechnology, and undeniably important to biotechnology, pharmacology, and laboratory supply companies that have invested heavily in this field.

Glycosaminoglycans

Biologists have quickly understood the important role glycans play in even the most basic biological processes. Their valued importance has led some advocates to investigate a class of linear glycans (glycosaminoglycans or GAGs) along with its sub-set, known as HSGAGs. This study has opened-up the discussion of glycans' key role in biological processes and its relevance to health and disease.

Constructing the Chains

An HSGAG chain can be described as a linear repeat ranging from approximately 10 to 100 disaccharide building blocks. When these blocks are gathered they make up the basis of sugar molecules. The basic configuration of a disaccharide unit consists of two chemically distinct monosaccharides, implying a uronic acid and a glucosamine linked by a glycosidic bond.

A sugar chain's structural configuration may vary greatly when disaccharide building units are chemically modified at a number of positions. Some of these changes may include the removal of the two-carbon acetyl groups at the amino position of the glucosamine portion or the addition of sulfate groups at many different positions. These combinations denote a large possibility of adaptation to any situation that may present itself. In short, there will always be a possible solution to a number of unforeseen situations. In fact, the potential for structural information to be embedded in a glycan exceeds that of nucleic acids or proteins making the study of sugar chains even more essential to health and disease.

Future investigation is hopeful in finding new and better ways of applying the scientific discoveries made in Glycobiology, applications that could go from the simple skin cream that treats acne to genetic or medical advances that can eventually eliminate common diseases. The possibilities are infinite.

The skin care market is so infested with products that promise scar free skin that it's almost impossible to distinguish an effective skin care product from a product that's nothing more than hype. However, a select group of skin care products has incorporated ingredients found in Nature that help dissolve scar tissues and treat acne.

posted by qhishjq  # 7:55 AM