Glycobiology & Synthetic Bacteria

For years we have said that the future of medical and health-related research is in the study of sugars and sugar-containing molecules (ie. glycoproteins, glycolipids, etc.).

"Researchers have devised a way to attach sugars to proteins using unique biological and chemical methods. This means that large quantities of different glycoproteins can be generated for various medical and biological studies."

Recently, a paper was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology in which it was reported that a bacteria (Campylobacter) could do something that was believed could only be done by animal/plant cells (eukaryotes). E. coli has always been used for research but is unable to glycosylate (add monosaccharides to other molecules).

"PhD student Flavio Schwarz from Professor Markus Aebi's group at the Institute of Microbiology of ETH-Zurich and researchers from the University of Maryland have developed a new method for producing glycoproteins." They have taken the glycosylation mechanism from Campylobacter and introduced it to E. coli. E. Coli will now be able to glycosylate.

What is so important about glycosylated molecules like glycoproteins?
"If you want to study host-pathogen interactions, for instance, you need pure samples of a particular glycoprotein, whereas natural systems can only offer researchers a highly complex blend of such substances." ALL pathogens interact and attach to human cells through carbohydrates on glycosylated structures.

"Glycoproteins play a crucial role in biology. They are found more frequently on the surface of cells than 'normal' proteins and they participate in numerous cellular processes, such as cell to cell communication. They are present throughout the human body, also in mucus, and the different glycosylation of blood proteins contribute to define the blood group antigen." Cell to cell communication is also called intercelullar communication.

What does the future hold?
"...has great potential for the development of new cancer treatments. These therapeutic glycoproteins can be produced specifically-tailored to remain in the bloodstream longer while targeting cancerous cells." The immune system uses glycoproteins to distinguish between rogue and normal cells.

"For now, we have simply managed to prove that our concept works. It remains to be seen what potential practical applications it might have," says Flavio Schwarz from the Life Science Zurich Graduate School."

Article [ScienceDaily: Synthetic Biology: Engineered Bacteria

Related Information
Glyconutrientes
Glycobiology
Essential Monosaccharides
Intercellular Communication

New Study About Apples

A new scientific study suggests why the old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor may be true.

We know that apples are great and tasty snacks. They great sources of fiber (with the average having 3.3g - fiber only exists in the skin) and are an excellent alternative to candy as their crunch and sweet taste are deceptively fun and healthy for kids.

But a recent study conducted by microbiologists from the University of Denmark's National Food Institute found that apples may be incredible prebiotics! More specifically, the fiber from the apple skin (pectin) was found to help intestinal flora (friendly bacteria) create a pH environment that is ideal for probiotic growth.

Full article: How the Apple Keeps the Doctor Away

Glyconutrients

Our first post...

Of course it has to be about our flagships product, glyconutrients. Our challenge isn't what to write about. No. Our challenge is HOW to write it.

We are well aware of the millions of site out there offering supplements & glyconutrients to you and the rest of the online community. Just now, a Google search for glyconutrients returned "about 245,000" results (one for supplements returned over 50 million).

So what makes us different? Why are you here? Why should you stay and continue to read this post? Why should you come back to read new posts?

First, let's separate those who offer glyconutrients from those who simply sell supplements. Without glyconutrients, no supplement regimen can be complete. Read "Glyconutrients" on our site to learn more about these essential saccharides. Next, let's exclude those who do not have a glyconutritional supplement with the eight essential glyconutrients (glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, n-acetyl glucosamine, n-acetyl galactosamine, fucose, and n-acetyl neuraminic acid). This will leave you with a single manufacturer which has patented the mixing of the monosaccharides previously listed. If your glyconutrient vendor cannot provide you with a patent, they either do not contain all eight of the glyconutrients or the company will soon be legally told to stop making and selling glyconutrients (as has been the case in a few patent-protection trials).

GlycoTrainer is a representative for the very company that owns the glyconutritional patents. But we are not the only representatives. The manufacturer is publicly traded and was named the 5th best small company out of 200 by Forbes in October of 2006. The company has over half a million such distributors.

So why trust us? Why partner with GlycoTrainer?

Visit our site (http://www.glycotrainer.com/). Read some of the pages and posts. Although the content may seem familiar and look like the same glyconutritional information you find at the other quarter of a million pages returned by Google, look closely. Our content is unique. NOTHING was copied and simply pasted from other pages. Our authors, readers, and business associates are professional and some have medical and scientific backgrounds. To show appreciation for the science field, get approval from scientists and doctors, and more importantly to earn your trust, we have included a reference section at the bottom of all pages which require one. So don't take our word for it... Read the documents we have cited.

Additionally, our WHOLE site is in English and Spanish. Each page links to it's translated counterpart. We expect to add more languages in the future.

We at GlycoTrainer know you appreciate attention to detail. We know you want to partner with a team who doesn't let important things "fall through the cracks." Be assured that we form part of the best training group that exists in the world of glyconutrition.

Learn more about glyconutrients.

Contact us to learn about available options for purchasing glyconutrients.