INSERM workshop ‘Glycobiology, the sweet side of life in health and disease’ in Bordeaux, France.

Glycobiology is the study of the structure and function of glycans (sugar chains) and plays a critical role in our understanding of diseases that affect connective tissues and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in particular. Glycans are essential components of proteoglycans and glycoproteins, which help to maintain the structural integrity and signalling functions of the ECM. Abnormal glycosylation can impair the synthesis, organisation, or degradation of ECM components in connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, as well as in joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. This can result in altered tissue elasticity, strength, and cellular communication. By exploring glycan-related mechanisms, glycobiology offers insights into disease pathogenesis and opens new avenues for targeted therapies and biomarker discovery in these complex disorders.

The aim of this workshop is to provide essential knowledge and practical skills to understand the relevance of glycans in human diseases and integrate them into your research.

It consists of two phases: a theoretical phase in Bordeaux (Oct 15-17) and a practical phase in Lille and Nancy (Nov 12-14).

The workshop is open to researchers, technical staff and doctoral students in all fields, but particularly in the biomedical sciences (infectiology, immunology, oncology, genetic diseases and metabolic diseases) and life sciences. Professionals from the private sector (pharmacology, therapeutics and diagnostics) are also welcome to attend.

Here is a link to the program and the registration site:

https://ateliersinserm.dakini- pco.com/atelier.285.le.sucre.et.la.vie.emergence.de.la.glycobiologie.en.sante.et.physiopatholo gie-66-46.php

Registration is open until 27 June 2025, but we recommend registering as early as possible.

Here is a link if you want to share this event:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/guillermo-barreto-42b6b4175_umr-7365-cnrs-ul-imopa-is- pleased-to-announce-activity-7327683501984530432- PrWX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABM54esBlIXmRq 46q68zX62yqJQ6OW1S0KI

Here is a link to an explanation of the INSERM workshops: https://pod.inserm.fr/ateliers-de-linserm/presentation-des-ateliers-de-linserm/

Catherine Bui for the organising committee

June 18, 2025

INSERM workshop ‘Glycobiology, the sweet side of life in health and disease’ in Bordeaux, France.