Understanding vertebrate-pathogen co-evolution using state-of-the-art glycomics

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Kolarich, Daniel

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Tiralongo, Giuseppe

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2023-06-05
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Abstract

Glycosylation is important for cellular function, homeostasis, and sustenance of species. There is enough evidence to prove that glycans are at the crossroads of species-specific evolution and host pathogen co-evolution. Loss of Nglycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) in humans, New World monkeys, certain bats and other vertebrates, or loss of alpha Galactose [...] epitopes only in hominids and Old-World monkeys are just two examples for significant glycan based evolutionary events. On the other hand, pandemics such as Influenza, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have emerged from animal hosts (such as wild birds or bats) that are genetically distant to humans. A pathogen with zoonotic and possible pandemic potential must cross a lot of barriers such as interspecies spill over or effective transmission before it starts to rapidly infect humans. "Phyloglycomics" refers to the understanding of the evolutionary relationship of species-specific glycosylation by systematically curating species and tissue/body fluid specific glycomes. During my PhD I have established a platform to evaluate and understand vertebrate glycans, which are the products of glycosyltransferases/glycosidases. Phyloglycomics seeks to understand the speciesspecific glycan features, which are represent the concerted activity of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Such a knowledge base is crucial in our quest to begin to understand the complex network of host-pathogen coevolution and infection patterns that undoubtedly contributes to the ability of zoonotic diseases to evolve and cross species boundaries. [...]

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Thesis (PhD Doctorate)

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Institute for Glycomics

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The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.

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glycosylation

serum glycomics

vertebrate-pathogen co-evolution

mass spectrometry

phyloglycomics

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