Enzymatic Modification of Oligosaccharides

Oligosaccharides serve as essential dynamic sugar molecules in biological processes and currently lead advancements in therapeutic and industrial fields. Creative Biolabs leads the field of enzymatic oligosaccharide modification through precise enzyme-catalyzed reactions to reshape sugar structures. Our custom glycan modification services connect scientific hurdles with marketable successes for researchers synthesizing complex glycans for pharmaceuticals as well as those working to improve functional oligosaccharides for food products and developing bioactive sugars for agricultural advancements. Our team's more than ten years of glycobiology expertise enables us to merge state-of-the-art technology with client-focused service to revolutionize outcomes in carbohydrate science.

Fig.1 Examples of glucuronylated, sialylated, and sulfated glycans.¹

Why Focus on Enzymatic Modification?

Enzymes like glycosyltransferases and lyases offer stereoselective control, enabling the creation of intricate oligosaccharide architectures. Imagine cyclodextrins engineered for precision drug delivery, fructo-oligosaccharides optimized for gut microbiome modulation, or heparin analogs with enhanced anticoagulant activity—these feats are made possible through enzymatic finesse. Yet, challenges like enzyme stability, substrate specificity, and scalability persist in the field. That's where Creative Biolabs steps in. Our proprietary enzyme engineering platforms and modular workflows tackle these hurdles head-on, transforming raw carbohydrate materials into high-value products with clinical or industrial relevance.

Struggling with enzyme optimization, scalable synthesis, or structural validation? Explore our custom oligosaccharide synthesis services, where click chemistry, metabolic engineering, and enzymatic strategies converge to deliver high-purity, structurally validated glycans. From milligrams for research to kilograms for commercial production, we've got your back.

Enzymes Powering Oligosaccharide Innovation

Our toolbox includes over 50 cutting-edge enzymes, each meticulously validated to reshape sugar molecules for your unique goals. Here's how we turn sugar chemistry into actionable science:

Pair our enzyme expertise with glycan modification and labeling services to add functional tags (e.g., fluorescent probes, biotin, or DBCO handles) for tracking, targeting, or downstream conjugation. Our glycan modification and labeling solutions includes but not limited to:

• Fluorescence Labeling Service
• Biotinylation Service
• PEGylation Service
• Isotope Labeling Service
• Sulfate Modification Service
• Phosphorylation Modification Service
• Acetylation Modification Service

Step-by-Step: From Design to Delivery

Our workflow ensures your oligosaccharides hit the mark every time. Let's break down how we turn your vision into vial-ready products:

1. Smart Hydrolysis & Enzyme Selection

We start by matching your target oligosaccharide profile with the perfect enzymatic toolkit. For example:

• N-glycan cleavage: PNGase F for gentle deglycosylation of antibodies.
• O-glycan trimming: Endo-α-mannosidase for trimming high-mannose structures.
• Alginate depolymerization: Salt-tolerant alginate lyases for industrial-scale oligosaccharide production.

2. Reaction Optimization

Our team tweaks pH, temperature, cofactors, and enzyme-substrate ratios to maximize yield.

• Mn²⁺ activation: Boosts N-sulfotransferase activity by 3× in heparin synthesis.
• Microfluidic mixing: Reduces reaction time for β-glucosidase-mediated hydrolysis by 40%.

3. Precision Modifications

• Glycosylation: Attach novel sugars (e.g., sialic acid, fucose) using engineered transferases.
• Functional Tweaks: Sulfate groups for anticoagulant activity? Acetyl moieties for immune evasion? Our sulfate modification service and acetylation modification service add these critical modifications with >90% efficiency.
• Click Chemistry: Install DBCO or azide handles for ADC conjugation via our glycan click chemistry solutions.

4. Purification & Validation

• HPLC: Achieve >95% purity with our C18 reverse-phase columns.
• LC-MS/MS: Get structural fingerprints with isotopic resolution.
• NMR: Confirm α/β linkages and anomeric configurations definitively.

Precision Quality Control

Every batch undergoes 12+ rigorous checks to meet international guidelines:

Need Data Fast? Our oligosaccharides analysis service delivers certified reports in 5-7 days, complete with chromatograms, mass spectra, and stability data.

Applications

Drug Development

• Anticancer Therapies: Engineer heparin-like oligosaccharides to block angiogenesis in tumors.
• Vaccine Adjuvants: Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) enhance dendritic cell activation by 60% in preclinical models.
• Antivirals: Sulfated fucoidan oligosaccharides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding in vitro.

Functional Foods

• Prebiotics: β-Glucan oligosaccharides boost Bifidobacterium growth by 200% in gut models.
• Sweeteners: Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) reduce glycemic index by 30% in baked goods.

Agriculture

• Elicitors: Chitooligosaccharides trigger plant defense genes, reducing pesticide use by 50%.
• Seed Coatings: Alginate oligosaccharides improve drought resistance in crops.

Cosmetics

• Hyaluronic Acid Fragments: Low-MW oligosaccharides penetrate skin faster for anti-aging serums.

Why Partner with Creative Biolabs?

• End-to-End Expertise: From enzyme selection to final QC, we're your single-stop solution.
• Speed & Scale: Proprietary protocols cut synthesis time by 40%—ideal for preclinical to commercial batches.
• Innovation-Driven: Pioneering tools like glycan microarrays and in silico enzyme design.
• Regulatory Ready: DMFs, CMC documentation, and high-level batches available.

Whether you're modifying heparin for anticoagulants, crafting novel prebiotics, or exploring sugar-based therapeutics, Creative Biolabs delivers comprehensive solutions for your oligosaccharide-related project. Contact us to start your project with priority scheduling, dedicated project managers, and free stability testing for eligible projects.

Reference

1. Paschinger, Katharina, and Iain BH Wilson. "Anionic and zwitterionic moieties as widespread glycan modifications in non-vertebrates." Glycoconjugate journal 37.1 (2020): 27-40. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10719-019-09874-2

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