New technology will advance our understanding of the role of complex sugar chains decorating the surface of cells in the body
If you're reading this blog you're aware of the amazing new science called Glycomics that has emerged within the past decade. We are in an age of advanced technology or should I say technological revolution? There are also advanced technologies emerging which enhance and make our lives easier. Below are bits and pieces I copied and pasted on a new technology for understanding sugars on cell surfaces. It's been stated that Glycomics technology is the next Frontier of medicine! ;)
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An international consortium of scientists led by Dr. James Paulson of The Scripps Research Institute has created a technology that will advance our understanding of the role of complex sugar chains (glycans or carbohydrates) that decorate the surface of cells in the body.
The technology, known as a functional glycan microarray, is a glass slide onto which are printed hundreds of different glycan chains.
Many proteins involved in communication between cells recognize glycan structures on cell surfaces. The functional glycan microarray will speed research in glycomics, because it will allow scientists to determine to which carbohydrate structures these proteins bind.
Carbohydrate structures are very much a part of the language of life. They are like the accents on spoken words—they change the meaning without changing the spelling. Some even call carbohydrates the third alphabet, behind DNA and proteins.
Read more...
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Nutritional Supplements act as sources of radiation protectors
The word 'Nutraceuticals' is becoming the buzz word in quality effective nutritional supplements. Below is a gist of the tip of the iceberg of functional foods (nutraceuticals) yet to come.
Nutritional supplements, including trace elements and several plant materials like soya and amla, have been found to act as excellent sources of radiation protectors, radiation biologists say.
Nutraceuticals as exemplified by flavonoids and isoflavones and nutritional factors such as vitamin E have been demonstrated to have radioprotective properties, Dr V Srinivasan of Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethedsa, US, said at the International Conference on `Recent Trends in Radiation Biology' at BARC here.
"Low toxicity of nutraceuticals and nutritional factors is an advantage over well-known radioprotectors such as amifostine," he said, adding the Institute is working on new molecules like 5-AED and Vitamin E and gemistein are proving to be "very good" radioprotectors .
The word 'Nutraceuticals' is becoming the buzz word in quality effective nutritional supplements. Below is a gist of the tip of the iceberg of functional foods (nutraceuticals) yet to come.
Nutritional supplements, including trace elements and several plant materials like soya and amla, have been found to act as excellent sources of radiation protectors, radiation biologists say.
Nutraceuticals as exemplified by flavonoids and isoflavones and nutritional factors such as vitamin E have been demonstrated to have radioprotective properties, Dr V Srinivasan of Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethedsa, US, said at the International Conference on `Recent Trends in Radiation Biology' at BARC here.
"Low toxicity of nutraceuticals and nutritional factors is an advantage over well-known radioprotectors such as amifostine," he said, adding the Institute is working on new molecules like 5-AED and Vitamin E and gemistein are proving to be "very good" radioprotectors .
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Simple New Blood Test can Determine Severity of Multiple Sclerosis
Glycomics technology is emerging and will eventually become mainstreamed in health care. Below is an example of how Glycomics technology will be used in aiding and enhancing human health.
Glycominds, an Israel Company, wants to give the doctor more options. The Lod-based company's field of expertise is glycomics - that is the behavior of glycans, the sugars that are present in and on the surface of human cells. Genes give instructions to the proteins, but it is the glycans that guide the proteins to their targets and makes sure they do what they are supposed to do.
The multiple sclerosis market is estimated to be worth around $4 billion, notes Dukler.
Glycominds is not limiting its efforts to multiple sclerosis. The company is also looking at developing biomarkers to enable more accurate diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, which affects about a million people in the US alone. Glycominds is also looking further afield. "The GlyoChip platform has the ability to identify many other biomarkers," says Dukler. "Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [like multiple sclerosis] are the initial focus of the company, but it is not limited to that. Glycans play a critical role in many indications."
Read more
Glycomics technology is emerging and will eventually become mainstreamed in health care. Below is an example of how Glycomics technology will be used in aiding and enhancing human health.
Glycominds, an Israel Company, wants to give the doctor more options. The Lod-based company's field of expertise is glycomics - that is the behavior of glycans, the sugars that are present in and on the surface of human cells. Genes give instructions to the proteins, but it is the glycans that guide the proteins to their targets and makes sure they do what they are supposed to do.
The multiple sclerosis market is estimated to be worth around $4 billion, notes Dukler.
Glycominds is not limiting its efforts to multiple sclerosis. The company is also looking at developing biomarkers to enable more accurate diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, which affects about a million people in the US alone. Glycominds is also looking further afield. "The GlyoChip platform has the ability to identify many other biomarkers," says Dukler. "Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [like multiple sclerosis] are the initial focus of the company, but it is not limited to that. Glycans play a critical role in many indications."
Read more
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Time Line- Development of Glycoscience and Glyconutritionals
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.
1952 - Fresh, not aged, Aloe gel heals radiation burns on rabbits (Clarence C. Lushbaugh, Cancer 1953 vol. 6).
1970 - 500 glycobiology papers published.
1976 - Research paper identifies the 8 sugars found in biological glycoproteins and glycolipids.
1980 - 1500 glycobiology papers published.
1988- Dr. John Axford publishes his "Glucose only theory"
in British Journal (glucose is not the only needed sugar)
1990 - 4000 glycobiology papers published.
1990 - Journal of Glycobiology started by Oxford University.
1990 - "Capitalizing on Carbohydrates" by John Hodgson in BioTechnology Vol 8 Feb. 1990 109 discussing cell surfaces containing carbohydrates involved in intercellular communication and essential for immune function.
1992 - Active component in Aloe gel is stabilized.
1994 - A Research and Development Company is established as a glyconutritional company.
1995 - Nature: cell surface sugars necessary for recognition and immune function.
1996 - Harper's Biochemistry, Murray et al.: chapter on glycoproteins focuses on the 8 necessary sugars used in glycoproteins and glycolipids for cellular communication.
1996 - Patent application is filed for composition and use of a glyconutritional supplement.
1996 - Glyconutritional Company begins marketing glyconutritional supplement.
1998 - Acta Anatomica: special March issue on glycoscience; emphasizes that information content of biological sugar combinations exceeds that of the DNA code.
1998 - South Africa issues world's first patent for a glyconutritional blend
1998 - Healthy humans given radiologically labeled galactose, mannose and glucose incorporate all three directly into glycoproteins, proving that the body uses the different sugars as nutrients directly from the diet, instead of manufacturing them all from glucose alone.
2000 - 8000 glycobiology papers published.
2000 - Launch in March of Health and Nutrition Glycoscience website.
2000 - Newton Graphic Science Magazine: the science of cellular messaging.
2001 - Science: March 23 issue features "Carbohydrates and Glycobiology"; reviews structural and functional uses of 8 critical sugars in cellular physiology.
2001 - Physicians Desk Reference (PDR ) for Non-Prescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements: lists for the first time glyconutrient blend, phytosterol complex, and phytochemical complex.
2001 - Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia issue patents glyconutritional blend
2001 - NIH grants consortium $34 million to study cell-cell communication interactions.
2002 - Australian Journal of Chemistry 55(2): Carbohydrates Special Issue.
2002 - The Scientist 16:9 April 29 "Glycobiology Goes to the Ball."
2002 - Yahoo lists 15,000 entries for the glyconutrient "mannose."
2002 - France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom issue patents for a glyconutritional formula
2002 - Scientific American: July "Sweet Medicine: Building Better Drugs from Sugars."
2002 - New Scientist Archive: October story quotes JHU biochemist emphasizing glycobiology as the future of immunology, neurology, developmental biology, and disease research.
2002 - CAM: Volume 2, Issue 5 - December 2002 "Arthritis - Using the New Glyconutritionals."
2003 - Yahoo lists 63,000 entries for the glyconutrient "mannose."
2003 - Mexico and Hong Kong issue patents for a glyconutritional formula.
2003 - Advanced Glyconutrient-Antioxidant formulation is developed.
2004- Taiwan and Philippines issue patents for a glyconutritional formula.
2005- USA issues patent for glyconutritional formula
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Health Sciences Institute Recognizes Glyconutrients
They've been speculated as being the 'nutritional health discovery of our time.' Glyconutrients are going to be big news world-wide, as they are now getting recognized as vital nutritional components as per the Health Sciences Institute article below.
------------------------
Notice that this article from Health Sciences Institute says
that if you eat a diet rich in unprocessed fruits and vegetables
you can supply several necessary glyconutriets. This is true;
however the first nutrients to denature when foods are harvested
are the saccharides. Produce at the grocery store while
unprocessed has lost its saccharides before you buy it.
Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
October 14, 2004
Dear Reader,
Q: When is sugar a good thing?
A: When it's a glyconutrient.
On the HSI Forum, a member who identifies himself as "b5" asks:
"Please explain what glyconutrients are and why I would need
them?"
The short answer to b5's question is simple: Glyconutrients are
natural sugar compounds, essential for maintaining good health.
The longer answer reveals a fascinating field of nutrition that
the MIT Technology Review called one of the ten emerging
technologies that will change the world.
SUGAR COATED
Research over the past decade has demonstrated the importance of
essential fatty acids and essential proteins (amino acids). Now
scientists and nutritionists are just beginning to understand
that there are essential sugars as well. Eight essential sugar
compounds function individually as building blocks to assemble a
nearly infinite variety of complex molecules known as glycans or
sugar chains.
In an article in the February 2004 HSI Members Alert,
contributing writer Jennifer Arnold noted that there are two key
ways that glyconutrients impact our health:
1) "These sugars can prevent viruses and bacteria from adhering
to cells by taking up all their receptor sites. If the virus or
bacteria can't bind to a cell, they can't make you sick; it's as
simple as that. Turns out other sugar chains can work in similar
ways to bind up all sorts of viruses and bacteria in other parts
of the body."
2) "There's another more complex role that these sugar chains
play in the body. Glycans form a sugar coat around every single
cell in the body, as well as filling up the spaces in between
cells. They act as a sort of information super highway for the
body, regulating communication both within the cell and between
that cell and other cells."
Sugar chains play a vital role in nearly every physiological
process, including immune system response, tissue regeneration
and cell replication. One of the most important functions of
glycans is the facilitation of brain functions. For instance,
serotonin and other neurotransmitters require glycan receptors
in order to bind to the surface of nerve cells. Memory, stress
response and other critical brain functions may become
debilitated without the adequate assistance of glyconutrient
sugar chains.
THE SOURCE
If you eat a diet rich in unprocessed fruits and vegetables,
you're supplying your body with many glyconutrients. But just
because they're sugars doesn't mean they taste sweet. For
instance: Fucose, xylose and mannose are three of the eight
essential sugar compounds. Mushrooms and seeds contain fucose;
rye, barley and yeast contain xylose; and mannose can be found
in broccoli, cabbage and seeds.
Problems arise when any of the foods mentioned above are highly
processed. For instance, grapes and onions deliver glucose, one
of the eight glyconutrients. But when glucose is processed into
table sugar, nutrients and fiber are completely stripped away,
transforming it from good nutrition into something that can
compromise your health.
So the absence of unprocessed glyconutrients in the average diet
is a concern. As HSI Medical Advisor, Martin Milner, N.D.,
stated in the February Members Alert, "We are finding
glyconutrient deficiencies associated with a large range of
diseases."
COLLECT ALL 8
Of the eight basic glyconutrients, most diets only deliver
sufficient amounts of two: glucose and galactose (a milk sugar).
Trace amounts of the other six are picked up here and there, but
modern agricultural methods, food processing and chemical
contamination have all but erased them from our food supply.
In recent years, research has shown that supplementary
glyconutrients may improve cellular communication, with a
positive impact on a wide range of conditions; from skin aging
and bacterial infection to debilitating illnesses like muscular
dystrophy, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's
disease.
In his private practice, Dr. Milner has begun using a
glyconutritional supplement that provides all eight essential
sugar compounds. The supplement is called Ambrotose, and it's
specifically designed for immune system support.
In the same way that daily multi-vitamin use has reached
mainstream acceptance, proponents of glyconutrition believe that
someday even conventional medicine will recognize the benefits
of a daily "multi-glycan" to prevent many of the communication
errors between cells that lead to depleted immune defenses,
allergic reactions, and chronic diseases.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
--------------------------
They've been speculated as being the 'nutritional health discovery of our time.' Glyconutrients are going to be big news world-wide, as they are now getting recognized as vital nutritional components as per the Health Sciences Institute article below.
------------------------
Notice that this article from Health Sciences Institute says
that if you eat a diet rich in unprocessed fruits and vegetables
you can supply several necessary glyconutriets. This is true;
however the first nutrients to denature when foods are harvested
are the saccharides. Produce at the grocery store while
unprocessed has lost its saccharides before you buy it.
Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
October 14, 2004
Dear Reader,
Q: When is sugar a good thing?
A: When it's a glyconutrient.
On the HSI Forum, a member who identifies himself as "b5" asks:
"Please explain what glyconutrients are and why I would need
them?"
The short answer to b5's question is simple: Glyconutrients are
natural sugar compounds, essential for maintaining good health.
The longer answer reveals a fascinating field of nutrition that
the MIT Technology Review called one of the ten emerging
technologies that will change the world.
SUGAR COATED
Research over the past decade has demonstrated the importance of
essential fatty acids and essential proteins (amino acids). Now
scientists and nutritionists are just beginning to understand
that there are essential sugars as well. Eight essential sugar
compounds function individually as building blocks to assemble a
nearly infinite variety of complex molecules known as glycans or
sugar chains.
In an article in the February 2004 HSI Members Alert,
contributing writer Jennifer Arnold noted that there are two key
ways that glyconutrients impact our health:
1) "These sugars can prevent viruses and bacteria from adhering
to cells by taking up all their receptor sites. If the virus or
bacteria can't bind to a cell, they can't make you sick; it's as
simple as that. Turns out other sugar chains can work in similar
ways to bind up all sorts of viruses and bacteria in other parts
of the body."
2) "There's another more complex role that these sugar chains
play in the body. Glycans form a sugar coat around every single
cell in the body, as well as filling up the spaces in between
cells. They act as a sort of information super highway for the
body, regulating communication both within the cell and between
that cell and other cells."
Sugar chains play a vital role in nearly every physiological
process, including immune system response, tissue regeneration
and cell replication. One of the most important functions of
glycans is the facilitation of brain functions. For instance,
serotonin and other neurotransmitters require glycan receptors
in order to bind to the surface of nerve cells. Memory, stress
response and other critical brain functions may become
debilitated without the adequate assistance of glyconutrient
sugar chains.
THE SOURCE
If you eat a diet rich in unprocessed fruits and vegetables,
you're supplying your body with many glyconutrients. But just
because they're sugars doesn't mean they taste sweet. For
instance: Fucose, xylose and mannose are three of the eight
essential sugar compounds. Mushrooms and seeds contain fucose;
rye, barley and yeast contain xylose; and mannose can be found
in broccoli, cabbage and seeds.
Problems arise when any of the foods mentioned above are highly
processed. For instance, grapes and onions deliver glucose, one
of the eight glyconutrients. But when glucose is processed into
table sugar, nutrients and fiber are completely stripped away,
transforming it from good nutrition into something that can
compromise your health.
So the absence of unprocessed glyconutrients in the average diet
is a concern. As HSI Medical Advisor, Martin Milner, N.D.,
stated in the February Members Alert, "We are finding
glyconutrient deficiencies associated with a large range of
diseases."
COLLECT ALL 8
Of the eight basic glyconutrients, most diets only deliver
sufficient amounts of two: glucose and galactose (a milk sugar).
Trace amounts of the other six are picked up here and there, but
modern agricultural methods, food processing and chemical
contamination have all but erased them from our food supply.
In recent years, research has shown that supplementary
glyconutrients may improve cellular communication, with a
positive impact on a wide range of conditions; from skin aging
and bacterial infection to debilitating illnesses like muscular
dystrophy, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's
disease.
In his private practice, Dr. Milner has begun using a
glyconutritional supplement that provides all eight essential
sugar compounds. The supplement is called Ambrotose, and it's
specifically designed for immune system support.
In the same way that daily multi-vitamin use has reached
mainstream acceptance, proponents of glyconutrition believe that
someday even conventional medicine will recognize the benefits
of a daily "multi-glycan" to prevent many of the communication
errors between cells that lead to depleted immune defenses,
allergic reactions, and chronic diseases.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
--------------------------
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