In November 2001 the University of Oxford Department of Chemistry created the Oxford Glycochemistry Centre. This establishes one the UK’s leading centres of excellence for all aspects of Carbohydrate Chemistry.

We have the following goals:

Oligosaccharide synthesis – despite 100 years worth of effort, there is still no general, automatable method for synthesizing oligosaccharides. We are pioneering glycosylation research collaboration, broad in expertise and objectives, that will synthesize biologically-relevant oligosaccharides on a solicited and unsolicited basis: a truly general glycosylation strategy applicable to all targets.

Glycomimetics – The creation of novel glycomimetics and novel routes to existing glycomimetics as potential therapeutic targets has long been pursued in Oxford. Diverse structures that emerge from this programme include novel aza-sugars and C-glycosides. The programme is valuably supported by routine screens against carbohydrate-processing enzyme systems both in-house and through collaboration.

Carbohydrate Scaffolds – the design and ready synthesis of powerful carbohydrate chirons as

• highly accessible and functionally diverse synthetic intermediates
• library building blocks
• unique sources of secondary structure
• de novo carbohydrate structures

Carbohydrate Biocatalysis – The use of biocatalytic systems to create and manipulate novel polyhydroxylated structures, saccharides and oligosaccharides.

Protein Glycosylation – Glycoproteins are emerging as vital and sophisticated biological communication molecules. We are addressing the following goals

1. The mechanism of glycoprotein biosynthesis
2. General methods for pure glycoprotein synthesis
3. What are the functions of glycans on proteins?
4. Can we use alternative macromolecular glycoconjugates?

Glycocode – The communication mediated by carbohydrates is implicated in virtually all biological processes and has become known as glycocode. Glycochemistry creates probes capable of deciphering the fundamental mechanism and language of glycocode and will allow the treatment and control of almost all biological processes in a manner that, because of its specificity, will be free from side-effects. This will necessarily require the investigation of novel analytical techniques.

Glycotherapeutics – Discovery in these areas of glycoscience will lead directly to powerful therapeutic applications in which carbohydrate-containing structures are vitally implicated including cancer, bacterial & viral infection, ageing, fertility, nutrition and immunology.

We hope that these goals will be supported by a programme of background activities including invited speakers, one-day meetings, discussion forums and workshops.

Our goal is to create a broad ranging network of carbohydrate chemistry centred in Oxford and to approach major funding bodies for support of the above programmes for which the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts. To this end the OGC is an all-inclusive body which strives for excellence in carbohydrate chemistry.