The architecture of starch blocklets follows phyllotaxic rules
We have just published in Nature-Scientic Reports, the results of our collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy) and the ESRF – European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble (France), which is related to the application of the rules of starch grain phyllotaxis that leads to a new model of its architecture and the structure of amylopectin. Click on the title for more information.
Axel FOUQUES’ s thesis defense on December 16th, 2020
This thesis is entitled “Bioinspired photonic cellulose films” and is co-supervised by M. Laurent HEUX, CNRS Researcher Director at Cermav- UPR5301, and Mrs Silvia VIGNOLINI, Professor at Cambridge University (United Kingdom)
Rubal RAVINDER’ s thesis defense on December 7th, 2020
This thesis is entitled “Synthesis of (cyclo)maltooligosaccharides-based sulfated glycosaminoglycan mimetics and their interaction with heparin binding growth factors” and is co-supervised by M. Sami HALILA, CNRS researcher at Cermav- UPR5301, and M. Romain VIVES, Research Director at Institut de Biologie Structurale – UMR5075.
Cermav and Institut Carnot Polynat
Cermav is the coordinator of the Carnot PolyNat Institute which brings together eight research centers from the campus in order to innovate together with the industrial world in the field of eco-design of bio-based materials. Click on the title for more information.
Fucosylated ubiquitin and orthogonally glycosylated mutant A28C: conceptually new ligands for Burkholderia ambifaria lectin (BambL)
Our new article published in Chemical Science report on developing conceptually new inhibitors towards receptors of lung pathogens with high resistance to antibiotics. The BambL lectin from Burkholderia bind to fucose present on lung tissue. In collaboration with colleagues in Firenze, we developed high affinity ligands for BambL able to attach to adjacent sites on the lectin with high affinity and high specificity. A small protein scaffold has been functionalized with several fucose analogs, resulting in strong avidity towards BambL. In addition, rhamnose, a sugar able to modulate the activities of our white cells, was also grafted on the scaffold in order to boosta a better response to infection./ Figure: Crystal structure of BambL lectin in complex with new fucose based glycomimetics (X-ray structure by Dr. Sakonwan Kuhaudomlarp)
Transverse axes day – November 2, 2020
This year, we organize the days of Cermav transverse axes in a revised format to respect the sanitary rules. Therefore, the members of Cermav meet virtually to attend the presentations of our PhD students. Click to access the program.
