The present disclosure discloses simple and efficient glycan- or carbohydrate-based processes or methods for the rapid identification of biological markers and therapeutic targets especially glycan-related targets of infectious diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammation, toxicity, obesity and/or other disorders of humans, animals, plants and other organisms. Therefore, novel methods and products for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of such diseases obtainable based on these therapeutic targets can be developed.

The present disclosure is generally directed to methods and systems for the rapid detection of mycobacteria in samples using lectin-conjugated silica coated magnetic nanoparticles (SMNPs). In this work, carbohydrates on the cell wall of the mycobacteria serve as binding sites for lectins conjugated on the surface of lectin-conjugated SMNPs. As the target species of mycobacteria bind to lectin-conjugated SMNPs, a precipitate forms, which can be magnetically separated from the bulk test solution to visually indicate the presence of the target species of mycobacteria. The present disclosure is utilized as an inexpensive and rapid point of care system in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the methods and systems are integrated into a lateral flow assay for rapid detection of the target species of mycobacteria. In yet another embodiment, the methods and systems are utilized to create a microfluidic detection device with increased sensitivity to mycobacteria in a sample.

The invention provides cereal plants having a high level of fructan useful for the production of a range of food, beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. The invention provides methods of producing high-fructan products from plants modified to comprise a reduced level of an endogenous polypeptide with starch synthase activity, and products so produced. In some embodiments, plants are modified by introduction of an agent such as a nucleic acid molecule which down regulates endogenous starch synthase II gene expression.

Provided is a test method for identifying prostate cancer by analyzing a sugar chain modifying PSA in a specimen, and detecting an abundance of a multisialylated LacdiNAc structure, in particular Glycan ID: 7512, Glycan ID: 7603, Glycan ID: 7612, and/or Glycan ID: 7613. Furthermore, calculation of PSA G-index from relative abundance(s) of Glycan ID: 7512 and/or Glycan ID: 7603 enables detection of prostate cancer with good specificity even in a patient having a PSA value in a gray zone.

The present invention relates to compounds and compositions that can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of anaemias, particularly haemolytic anaemias such as sickle cell anaemia. Methods of selecting such compounds and compositions are also provided.

Provided is a therapeutic agent that effectively acts on a disease associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan. Also provided is a testing method for diseases associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan. Specifically, provided is a therapeutic agent for diseases associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan, containing CDP-ribitol as an active ingredient. Ribitol-phosphate is important in the glycan structure of dystroglycan. In order for ribitol-phosphate to be incorporated into a dystroglycan glycan, a material therefor (sugar donor) is required. In the present invention, it has been found for the first time that CDP-ribitol serves as the sugar donor. It has been confirmed that the glycan of ISPD-deficient cells can be restored by administering CDP-ribitol. Thus, the present invention, which allows CDP-ribitol to be utilized for supplementation therapy, has been completed.

The invention relates to linkers and methods for generating arrays with linkers. The invention also relates to methods for identifying agents that bind to various types of molecules on the arrays and to defining the structural elements of the molecules on the arrays that bind to those agents. The arrays and methods provided herein may be used for epitope identification, drug discovery and as analytical tools. The invention provides useful glycans and epitope determinants that are useful in detecting, diagnosing, recurrence monitoring and preventing cancer.

This disclosure relates to a screening test method, device, and kit for mucosal carbohydrates and associated conditions including, cancerous and precancerous conditions. Specifically, the method tests abnormal carbohydrates in mucus or body fluid using reagents of galactose oxidase, and Schiff's Reagent. The screening test method, device, and kit provides improved accuracy, and minimizes handling procedures. This disclosure further relates to the use of the device or kit in a medical facility for an initial evaluation for cancerous and precancerous conditions.

An apparatus for glycan analysis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of loading wells adapted to receive a plurality of samples; a plurality of capillaries arranged in correspondence with the loading wells, each of the capillaries including a first portion including a stacking gel and a second portion including a resolving gel; and a plurality of eluting wells arranged in correspondence with the capillaries and adapted to receive a portion of the samples having traversed the capillaries.

The present invention relates to a method for determining prostate carcinoma, including obtaining a ratio 1 between an amount of a free prostate specific antigen and an amount of a free PSA having an (2,3) glycan, the free PSA having an (2,3) glycan being a free prostate specific antigen having a glycan in which a terminal sialic acid residue of the glycan is (2,3)-linked to a second galactose residue from a terminal of the glycan, in a sample derived from a subject; obtaining a ratio 2 between the ratio 1 and a volume of the prostate of the subject; and determining prostate carcinoma based on the obtained ratio 2.