[Course] Protein glycosylation analysis

Short course

Glycosylation is a common post-translational modification of proteins with multiple biological and functional roles, for example, in protein folding, cell recognition and cell adhesion. Structural diversity of glycans covalently bound to proteins is high, consequently, complementary and highly specialized techniques are required for their analysis.

This course aims at introducing modern methodologies for protein glycosylation analysis with background on structural properties of glycans and their biosynthesis. Techniques include liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in glycomics and glycoproteomics, exoglycosidase sequencing, glycan and lectin arrays and glycoinformatic tools. Applications to glycosyltransferases, viral glycoproteins, antibodies, extracellular vesicles as well as cancer and neurodegeneration biomarkers are discussed.

The course has one week duration starting on Monday morning and ending on Friday afternoon. It has 26 hours of theoretical and tutorial classes that include the discussion of case studies and hands-on demonstrations. It also includes a visit to high standard technological infrastructures on mass spectrometry (UniMS) and NMR (CERMAX) at ITQB NOVA.

The course follows a model of blended-learning with students and lecturers in the classroom complemented with online talks by invited experts. Evaluation consists of the design of an experimental strategy for a provided target followed by an oral presentation and discussion. This work is developed by the students working in groups with the support of the instructors. Evaluation follows the binary system with a final mark of approved/not approved.

Students should bring their laptop to the course. Information about specific software to be installed will be provided to the selected applicants in advance.

Major topics:

• Structures of glycans from glycoproteins and proteoglycans
• Glycosyltransferases and glycan-processing enzymes
• HPLC and mass spectrometry in glycomics and glycoproteomics
• NMR spectroscopy for glycan analysis
• Applications of lectins in glycomics and glycoproteomics
• Glycan arrays to decipher the glycocode
• Molecular modeling of glycans, glycoproteins, and their complexes
• Web-based glycoinformatic resources
• Visit to the UniMS and CERMAX facilities

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Credits: 1.5 ECTS 

Target audience

Researchers, academics, technicians, students and other interested applicants from academia and industry, with background training in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry or equivalent.

Number of participants

10-25

Applications

From 04 SEP to 29 SEP 2023

Registration fee: 25€

Enrollment: 15€

Tuition: 550€*

* - Fellowships are available for eligible students, under the PRR regulations (see Official Notice).

Course Dates

From 20 NOV to 24 NOV 2023

Location: ITQB NOVA
 

Official Announcement
 

Faculty

Júlia Costa, ITQB NOVA (jcosta@itqb.unl.pt)

Catarina Brito, ITQB NOVA, iBET

João Vicente, ITQB NOVA

Pedro Lamosa, ITQB NOVA

Ricardo Gomes, ITQB NOVA, iBET

Rita Ventura, ITQB NOVA

Invited

Ana Magalhães, i3S, Portugal (online)

Angelina Palma, FCT NOVA, Portugal

Frédérique Lisacek, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland (online)

Kelley Moremen, CCRC, University of Georgia, USA (online)

Manfred Wuhrer, Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands (online)

Paula Videira, FCT NOVA, Portugal

Robert Woods, CCRC, University of Georgia, USA (online)

This course is supported by European funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) of the Portuguese Republic, following the approval of the "CIVIC and GLOBAL" project of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (RE - C06.i03.03 - Impulso Adultos), through fellowhips for elegible students under the PRR regulations.

The Recovery and Resilience Plan is a nationally applicable programme. The Plan will implement a set of reforms and investments aimed at restoring sustained economic growth, supporting the goal of convergence with Europe over the next decade.

The European Union, faced with the serious impacts of the pandemic on European economies, has created Next Generation EU, a strategic instrument to mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis; this is capable of promoting economic convergence and resilience, helping to ensure long-term sustainable growth and meeting the challenges of the transition to a greener and more digital society. The Recovery and Resilience Mechanism has been developed on the basis of this instrument, and the RRP fits into this framework.

The RRP is an investment plan for all Portuguese people, based on three structuring dimensions: Resilience; Climate Change; Digital Transition.

More information.