The low affinity of carbohydrate-lectin interactions has hampered the progress of glycoscience. To overcome this limitation, scientists have combined the unique properties of nanoparticles with the bioactivity of carbohydrates to develop glyconanoparticles. The high surface area allows nanomaterials to accommodate a high density of carbohydrate ligands, enhancing carbohydrate-mediated interactions through multivalency. CD BioGlyco has developed an attractive GlycoNano™ Platform to provide clients with advanced Glyconanoparticle Development Services for applications in carbohydrate-based biosensing, bioimaging, drug delivery, anti-adhesion therapeutic development, vaccine preparation, and cancer therapy development.
The key to preparing glyconanoparticles is the surface coupling chemistry to attach carbohydrates to the nanomaterials. Nanomaterials come in different forms, sizes, and shapes. When we help our clients design glyconanoparticles, we take into account the chemistry of the nanomaterials to provide effective ligand coupling and optimal ligand presentation. Two general strategies for nanomaterial functionalization include non-covalent or covalent schemes. Here, we use a non-covalent scheme based on hydrogen bonding to physically adsorb carbohydrate ligands to the surface of nanomaterials to produce a variety of glyconanoparticles.
We exploit the unique properties of hydrogen bonding to develop stable and functionalized nanostructures. Hydrogen bonding is the attractive force between hydrogen atoms and electronegative atoms such as oxygen or nitrogen, enabling precise and reversible interactions. In the design of glyconanoparticles, these bonds are used to connect and organize sugar moieties on the surface of the nanoparticles, thereby improving targeting and delivery efficiency. The hydrogen bonding principle promotes the dynamic self-assembly and structural integrity of the nanoparticles, ensuring that they remain functional under a variety of conditions, making them ideal for a variety of biomedical applications such as drug delivery and bioimaging.
We start by selecting the right sugar molecules that serve as both the structural framework and functional components of the nanoparticles. The sugar molecules are dissolved in a suitable solvent to allow them to interact under controlled conditions that favor the formation of hydrogen bonds. Controlling factors such as pH, temperature, and concentration, the sugar molecules self-assemble into nanoscale structures. This synthetic process offers remarkable flexibility to develop a variety of nanoparticles that meet specific needs by varying the type of sugar and assembly conditions. The nanoparticles are stabilized by refining the hydrogen bond network around the glyconanoparticle after synthesis to improve their durability.
Our characterization involves detailed analysis of their physical, chemical, and functional properties to ensure they meet the requirements. The size and distribution of glyconanoparticles are evaluated using techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), providing insight into the uniformity and stability of the nanoparticles. The surface charge of the nanoparticles is analyzed by zeta potential to predict the colloidal stability of the glyconanoparticles in different environments.
CD BioGlyco is at the forefront of glyconanomaterial development, whether you want to enhance drug delivery systems or develop innovative diagnostic tools, we have breakthrough solutions for you. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the details of your project.
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