Blocking sugar structures on viruses and tumor cells

Skerra's current research findings are paving the way for the development of new types of binding proteins for biological sugar structures, which play a significant role in cancer as well as infectious diseases. What you can see here: A model sugar ligand ( yellow ) binds to the boric acid group ( green ) in the pocket of a binding protein ( pink ). (Image: Chair of Biological Chemistry) - Coronavirus: University operations limited +++ make use of online services +++ many staff working from home +++ www.tum.de/corona - Artificial sugar-binding protein may inhibit cell growth During a viral infection, viruses enter the body and multiply in its cells. Viruses often specifically attach themselves to the sugar structures of the host cells, or present characteristic sugar structures on their surface themselves. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new type of protein reagent for identifying biological sugar structures, which may block the spread of an illness in the body if used for blocking the sugar structures of a cell or a pathogen. The laboratory directed by Arne Skerra, Professor of Biological Chemistry, has its focus on designing artificial binding proteins for therapeutic applications. The laboratory's current research findings are paving the way for the development of new types of binding proteins for biological sugar structures, which play a significant role in cancer as well as infectious diseases.