In addition to protein analytics, our group has a strong focus on glycan analysis and the structural characterization of complex carbohydrate signatures. We apply advanced analytical technologies to investigate both N-glycans and glycosphingolipid-derived glycans, aiming to better understand their biological functions and their relevance in human disease.

xCGE-LIF-Based Glycan Analysis

A central technology in our laboratory is multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection (xCGE-LIF), which enables highly sensitive and reproducible glycan profiling.

Key advantages of this platform include:

• High analytical sensitivity
• Excellent resolution of structural isomers
• Precise differentiation of glycans differing by only a single linkage
• Robust and quantitative glycan fingerprinting

In 2019, our group was the first to establish xCGE-LIF for the analysis of glycosphingolipid-derived glycans (Rossdam et al., 2019), creating the basis for numerous collaborative and translational research projects.

Biomarker Discovery and Translational Applications

Using our glycan analytics platform, we investigate disease-associated glycosylation signatures and identify novel biomarkers with diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Examples include:

• Identification of type 1 N-acetyllactosamine as a promising biomarker for human pluripotent stem cells, enabling new strategies for immunodepletion in regenerative medicine (Rossdam & Brand et al., 2024)
• Contribution to serum N-glycomic studies in rare congenital disorders of glycosylation, revealing aberrant IgG glycosylation patterns (Beimdiek et al., 2022)
• Identification of glycan-based plasma markers in COVID-19 patients (Beimdiek et al., 2022)

By combining analytical glycobiology with translational research, our work aims to improve the understanding of glycan function in health and disease and to facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.