Speaker： J.L Kiappes

The University of Oxford & University of London Chair of the IChO Steering Committee

Abstract:

In humans, N-linked glycosylation plays a key role in the folding and maturation of many proteins. For this reason, the process has links to hereditary and infectious diseases. Using rational design and fragment-based design techniques, small molecule inhibitors have been developed for glycan-processing enzymes including ER alpha-glucosidases and UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase. Here, we will look at the journey to identify these lead compounds, indications of activity in cells, and their potential as antiviral therapies. The alpha-glucosidase work has also been developed into a learning resource that highlights to early-stage undergraduates how foundational organic chemistry ideas are relevant to modern biochemistry research.