Can you analyze a sample that is a mix of crystalline and amorphous material?

Absolutely. Our multi-modal approach is specifically designed to handle this. Our XRD analysis provides detailed information on the crystalline domains, while our SSNMR and FTIR analyses give you valuable insights into the amorphous and paracrystalline regions. This combination provides a complete and accurate picture of your material's structure.

How does this service compare to other glycan analysis methods like MS?

MS is excellent for identifying glycan structures and compositions, which is a crucial first step. Our service is a perfect complement, as it answers the next critical question: "How does that structure affect its functions and stability?" We provide the functional and biophysical data that MS alone cannot.

Can you help us optimize our crystallization process based on your analysis?

Absolutely. Our comprehensive reports don't just provide data-they provide actionable insights. By analyzing your crystal's size, shape, and stability in relation to your solvent system and process parameters, our team can offer data-backed recommendations to improve your crystallization process and achieve the desired final product attributes.

Glycan Crystal Analysis Services

The Energetic Blueprint of Glycans: From Structure to Function

Are you currently facing long drug development cycles, batch-to-batch inconsistency, or challenges in ensuring product stability? Creative Biolabs' One-Stop Glycan Crystal & Glycoprotein Crystal Analysis Services help you accelerate rational product design and optimize manufacturing processes through a holistic, multi-technique platform for solid-state characterization. We translate fundamental solid-state science into actionable insights, providing a competitive edge in biopharmaceutical and product development.

Microscopic images of sugar crystals with different configurations. (OA Literature)

Fig.1 Single crystal images of xylose and arabinose.¹

How Creative Biolabs' Glycan Crystal Analysis Services Can Assist Your Project?

The importance of defining the crystallinity of biomolecules has been discussed for decades. The crystalline structure of complex polysaccharides, for example, profoundly affects their physical, mechanical, chemical, and morphological properties. Similarly, the structural behavior of glycan molecules in a biotherapeutic is fundamental to its stability and efficacy. Creative Biolabs provides a distinct advantage by combining cutting-edge biophysical analysis with a deep understanding of solid-state science. Our services translate this foundational knowledge into practical solutions. By understanding the intricate details of a glycan's solid-state properties, from its crystal structure to its thermal behavior, we help you predict performance, mitigate risks, and ensure product quality. Our comprehensive workflow is a systematic and meticulous process designed for optimal results.

Key Steps Involved

01Sample submission

To initiate our service, clients typically provide a purified glycan, glycoprotein, or a crude glycan-containing extract. Our experts will help you select the most appropriate analysis plan.

02Preliminary solid-state screening

We perform initial, non-destructive analyses using techniques like powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) to assess the material's bulk crystalline phase and thermal stability. This allows us to rapidly identify the presence of multiple polymorphs or an amorphous state.

03Advanced crystallographic analysis

For samples available only in microcrystalline powder form, we employ microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to obtain a high-resolution 3D structure. For suitable materials, we grow single crystals and perform single-crystal XRD (SC-XRD) to provide the exact atomic coordinates of your molecule and its packing arrangement.

04Molecular-level characterization

Our team uses complementary techniques like solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and vibrational spectroscopy to probe local molecular details, including hydrogen bonding networks, conformational flexibility, and local order within both crystalline and amorphous regions.

05Final report generation

The final report is a comprehensive narrative that explains what the results mean for your project, including clear conclusions and actionable recommendations.

Various Glycan Crystal Analysis Services

The necessity for a dedicated glycan crystal analysis service stems from the fact that a material's efficacy and stability are directly tied to its physical form and molecular behavior. Glycans are complex and can exist in different solid-state forms, or polymorphs, which can have dramatically different properties. Our integrated services are designed to overcome this by providing a comprehensive, multi-technique approach that addresses every facet of glycan and biopolymer characterization.

Glycan Crystal Optical Analysis Service

This service focuses on the visual and morphological characterization of your crystals. We use polarized light microscopy (PLM) for a preliminary assessment of crystal shape and internal stress patterns. For a more detailed view, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides high-resolution topographical analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allows us to image the internal crystal lattice and detect defects.

Glycan Crystal Thermodynamic Analysis & Kinetic Analysis Services

This is where we measure the energetic properties of your molecules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provides data on thermal stability and melting behavior. For binding studies, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) precisely quantifies the heat and energy changes of a binding event, revealing its energetic drivers, while surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measures the real-time kinetics of association and dissociation.

Glycan Crystal Physical & Chemical Property Analysis Service

This service provides key data on a material's physical and chemical attributes. We use dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) to measure hygroscopicity and long-term stability under various humidity conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) are used to determine purity and identify impurities that can impact crystallization.

Glycan Crystal Structure Analysis Service

This is the core of our structural offering. We use XRD to determine the atomic-level structure of your crystalline samples. For samples that do not form large crystals, our MicroED service allows us to determine high-resolution 3D structures from powdered material. SSNMR is a powerful complementary tool that probes the local molecular environment, allowing us to characterize amorphous regions that are invisible to XRD.

Published Data

This research investigated the crystallization behavior and properties of the diastereomer sugars DL-arabinose and DL-xylose. The study aimed to determine if these chiral pairs form a single racemic compound or a conglomerate of separate enantiomers when crystallized. Through a combination of X-ray diffraction, DSC, and solubility measurements, the authors characterized the solid-state landscapes of these sugars. The findings showed a distinct difference between the two sugars. DL-arabinose was found to crystallize as a stable racemic compound, meaning the D- and L-enantiomers combine to form a single crystal lattice. This was confirmed by its higher melting point and lower solubility compared to the pure enantiomers. The crystal structure analysis revealed that the racemic form had a higher density and a lower lattice energy, indicating greater thermodynamic stability.

The following Figure presents the solubility data for D-xylose, L-arabinose, and DL-arabinose. Notably, the experimental solubility for all three compounds is significantly lower than their ideal solubility, indicating a preference for solute-solute or solvent-solvent interactions over solute-solvent interactions. The figure also visually demonstrates that increasing the ethanol concentration in the solvent (from 50:50 to 70:30) decreases the solubility of all sugar forms. Additionally, it highlights that D-xylose consistently has a much higher solubility than both L-arabinose and the more stable DL-arabinose racemic compound in both solvent systems.

Solubility analysis results of sugars with different configurations. (OA Literature)

Fig.2 Solubility determination results of D-xylose, L-arabinose, and DL-arabinose in different solvent systems.¹

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Creative Biolabs is your trusted partner for glycan and biopolymer characterization. We translate fundamental solid-state science into actionable data, helping you accelerate your research, optimize your products, and achieve your goals with confidence. Our glycan crystal analysis service is often used in combination with our other services, such as Glycoprotein Crystal Analysis Services and Glycan Crystal Prediction Service. Please contact us to explore more information.