Glycan Array is a high-throughput technique used to study the binding specificity of glycan-binding proteins (GBPs), such as antibodies, lectins, viruses, or receptors, by exposing them to a surface printed with a large variety of defined glycan structures.
There are different types of glycan arrays, including natural glycan arrays (from biological sources) and synthetic arrays (chemically defined glycans), which allow precise analysis of glycan–protein interactions.
We have over 15 years of experience in glycan microarray development and analysis of recombinant glycoproteins, serum glycoproteins, synthetic neoglycoproteins, cells, and exosomes.
Our default setup:
155 fully synthetic glycan structures are printed in 5 replicates alongside control samples (printing buffer containing BSA). We print our microarrays on Premium Schott Nexterion 3D hydrogel glass slides with an ultralow background and excellent protein stabilization properties.
These structures ensure a broad representation of natural glycans and glycan recognition elements:
Custom Glycan Arrays:
Asparia also offers custom-made glycan arrays built from personalized glycan libraries, including custom-synthesized glycans produced in-house by Asparia.
How our glycan array analysis service works
Our workflow ensures a clear, straightforward, and transparent process for sample glycoanalysis
Optional sample preparation and protein isolation step
Let us know which type of sample (purified protein, antibodies, cells, tissue, etc.) you want to analyze, and we will apply the most convenient sample preparation protocol.
Sample labeling
Samples are fluorescently labeled or detected with a fluorescent secondary antibody; after labeling, sample clean-up is performed.
Optimization Step
We optimize the sample concentration and incubation conditions on a test slide.
Glycan Binding Analysis
Single glycan binding analysis or in triplicate (4-12 samples/slide)
Microarray Quantification
The latest technology – A Scienion S11 microarray spotter and an Agilent G2565BA microarray scanner – are used.
Data processing
Our experts analyze and interpret the data to transform it into actionable information. We include the histogram generation for easy visualization, and statistical analysis for larger datasets available upon request.
Report
A publication-type report that includes the Materials & Methods, data interpretation, and raw data.
Purposes and applications for Glycan Microarray
Glycan microarrays have important applications in biomedical research, e.g. in vaccine development, lectin and antibody characterization, or serum biomarker screening:
Oncology
Identify tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and study how antibodies or lectins bind to cancer-specific glycans. This helps in developing diagnostic tools or targeted immunotherapies that recognize cancer-specific glycan motifs
Infectious Diseases
Study how pathogens recognize host glycans. This technique helps map these interactions, supporting vaccine design and the development of glycan-targeting antivirals
Immune and Inflammatory Diseases
Investigate the specificity of immune receptors, such as C-type lectins and Siglecs, and how they recognize self or pathogen-associated glycans
Microbiome
Explore how commensal or pathogenic microbes interact with host glycans, particularly those found in the gut mucosa. This contributes to our understanding of host–microbe communication, microbial colonization, and the role of glycans in immune tolerance
Biomarkers & Diagnostics
Enable the identification of glycan-binding antibodies or proteins that are elevated in disease states, supporting the discovery of early, glycan-based biomarkers for cancer, infections, or immune disorders
Other Fields
- Veterinary medicine: facilitate the detection of glycan biomarkers and the design of vaccines for livestock and companion animals
- Plant biology: uncover glycan-mediated stress and signaling pathways through high-throughput screening of glycan–protein interactions
- Nutraceuticals and Cosmetics: identify bioactive glycans for functional foods and skin applications
- Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): development of glycan mimetics that support infant immunity and microbiota balance
Related publications
A selection of our most relevant scientific publications that form our Glycan microarray
Serna S, Artschwager R, Pérez-Martínez D, Lopez R, Reichardt N-C. A versatile urea type linker for functionalizing natural glycans and its validation in glycan arrays. Chemistry. 2023;29(52):e202301494
Sucre A, Amaya-Rodriguez I, Rho H-S, Serna S, Reichardt N, Garin-Muga A, et al. COVID-BIOCHIP: A web tool to Analyse COVID-19 antigen microarrays. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2022;295:183–6.
Di Maio A, Cioce A, Achilli S, Thépaut M, Vivès C, Fieschi F, et al. Controlled density glycodendron microarrays for studying carbohydrate-lectin interactions. Org Biomol Chem. 2021;19(34):7357–62.
Nkurunungi G, van Diepen A, Nassuuna J, Sanya RE, Nampijja M, Nambuya I, et al. Microarray assessment of N-glycan-specific IgE and IgG profiles associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection in rural and urban Uganda. Sci Rep. 2019; 9(1):3522.
Yang YYM, van Diepen A, Brzezicka K, Reichardt N-C, Hokke CH. Glycan microarray-assisted identification of IgG subclass targets in schistosomiasis. Front Immunol. 2018;9:2331.
Medve L, Achilli S, Serna S, Zuccotto F, Varga N, Thépaut M, et al. On-chip screening of a glycomimetic library with C-type lectins reveals structural features responsible for preferential binding of dectin-2 over DC-SIGN/R and langerin. Chemistry. 2018;24(54):14448–60.
Amoah AS, Asuming-Brempong EK, Obeng BB, Versteeg SA, Larbi IA, Aryeetey Y, et al. Identification of dominant anti-glycan IgE responses in school children by glycan microarray. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(3):1130–3.
Yang YYM, Li XH, Brzezicka K, Reichardt N-C, Wilson RA, van Diepen A, et al. Specific anti-glycan antibodies are sustained during and after parasite clearance in Schistosoma japonicum-infected rhesus macaques. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017;11(2):e0005339.
