Polymorphism of V-amylose complexed with aliphatic diols
We have published an article in the journal Polymer about the structure of inclusion compounds prepared by crystallizing amylose in the presence of a series of diols. Several molecular models have been proposed based on electron and X-ray diffraction data, and structural transitions have been identified during the drying of the crystals. Click on the title for more information.
Misincorporation of Galactose by Chondroitin Synthase of Escherichia coli K4: From Traces to Synthesis of Chondbiuronan, a Novel Chondroitin-Like Polysaccharide
We published an article in the journal BioMolecules dealing with the synthesis of chondroitin in a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli. The study points out the fact that in absence of UDP-GalNAc which is one of the enzymatic precursors of chondroitin synthesis, chondroitin synthase KfoC incorporates galactose leading to the synthesis of a new polysaccharide named chondbiuronan. Click on the title for more information.
Nanocellulose based-material for wound dressing
A review article is presented by Clémentine Darpentigny and Bruno Jean, taking up elements of Clémentine Darpentigny’s thesis. It aims to provide an overview of cellulose-based nanomaterials and their potential use for wound dressing applications.
PhD Glyco@Alps symposium day
Cermav will participate in the PhD Glyco @ Alps symposium day. Click on the title to find out more.
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.
Multifunctionalization of cellulose microfibrils through a cascade pathway entailing the sustainable Passerini multi-component reaction
As a follow-up of the Julien Leguy’s PhD work (at Cermav) and in collaboration with the Polymer Materials Engineering laboratory (IMP) – Joint Research Unit n ° 5223 – CNRS – Université de Lyon – INSA LYON, we have published in the Green Chemistry journal a proof of concept of the advanced dual chemical functionalization of cellulose microfibrils through an eco-responsible route.
Competing Molecular Packing of Blocks in a Lamella-Forming Carbohydrate-block-poly(3-hexylthiophene) Copolymer
We just published in Macromolecules in collaboration with our colleagues from NTU (Taipei, Taiwan) and Hokkaido Univ (Sapporo, Japan) a study on carbohydrate-based copolymers for promising application in organic photovoltaic (OPV) -Sub_10nm domain spacing
Rapid access to discrete and monodisperse block co-oligomers from sugar and terpenoid toward ultrasmall periodic nanostructures
We just published in Nature Communications Chemistry in collaboration with our colleagues at Hokkaido Univ (Sapporo, Japan) a study on carbohydrate-based copolymers for nanolithography – a major breakthrough (4nm resolution) never attained before
Raphaël MICHEL joins Cermav as a CNRS research scientist (“Chargé de recherche CNRS”)
Raphaël MICHEL is the laureate of CNRS national entrance examination. More information on his career and his research project at Cermav./ Image caption: Cover of Biomacromolecules (Volume 21, Number 8) featuring the review article by Raphaël MICHEL and Rachel AUZÉLY –VELTY on composite biomaterials for tissue-printing.
Fangbo Lin’ s thesis defense on November 10th, 2020
This thesis is entitled “Regioselective modification of cellulose nanocrystals: synthesis, assemblies and functional properties” is co-supervised by M. Bruno JEAN (CNRS researcher and team leader at CERMAV).
Claire Desfrancois’ thesis defense on November 6th, 2020
This thesis is entitled “Design, synthesis and characterization of hydrogels with high compressive strength for the sustainable delivery of hydrophobic drugs”, and is co-supervised by both Ms. Rachel Auzély-Velty (Professor at the University of Grenoble Alpes and team leader at CERMAV) and Ms. Isabelle Texier-Nogues, Research Engineer at CEA Leti-L2CB.
Computational tools for drawing, building and displaying carbohydrates: a visual guide
This article is intended for anyone who’s interested in the different levels of representation of glycomolecules. From the “freehand” draft to the virtual reality immersion, the tools and applications available in open access are presented, gauged and explained.
Drying-induced bending deformation of cellulose nanocrystals studied by molecular dynamics simulations
Cellulose is generally perceived as rigid, however it is capable of deforming. We have shown that the simple process of drying a disorganized network of cellulose crystals causes them to bend. This deformation contributes to the expression of the barrier property of cellulosic materials.
Supramolecular assembly and chirality of synthetic carbohydrate materials
We have just published the results of our international collaboration with MPI-Potsdam (Germany) in Angewandte Chemie International Edition. In this work, we built a model carbohydrate material system based on synthetic gluycose disaccahrdes. Microcrystal electron diffraction (microED) analysis revealed that the synthetic disaccharides formed highly crystalline helical fiber. The chirality of the assembled helical fibers can be tunable by changing the enantiomeric structure of the disaccharides, underlining the potential of designer carbohydrate materials for nanotechnology applications.
Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Reveals the Structural Details of Thermosensitive Polymer-Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions
We have just published in Langmuir a study by small angle neutron scattering of thermosensitive polymers-decorated cellulose nanocrystal assemblies. This technique reveals structural information inaccessible by other methods.
Unraveling the complex enzymatic machinery making a key galactolipid in chloroplast membrane: a multiscale computer simulation
We have just published in the journal Scientific Reports (Nature Research) our work on elucidating, by multiscale numerical simulation methods, the complexity of the enzymatic machinery that supports the synthesis of galactolipids of the chloroplast membrane.
Ligand-recognizing motifs in plant LysM receptors are major determinants of specificity
We have just published the results of our international collaboration with Aarhus
University (DK), University of Cambridge (UK), University of Copenhagen (DK), University of Otago (NZ) in the prestigious journal Science.
This work reports for the first time how, legumes (soybean, alfalfa, peas…) have established a beneficial symbiosis with soil bacteria that fix nitrogen, a key nutrient, by a subtle structural evolution of a receptor common to all terrestrial plants. These results open up major prospects for the development of more sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Lipo-chitooligosaccharides as regulatory signals of fungal growth and development
We have just published the results of our international collaboration with American Universities (University of Wisconsin – Madison, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, University of California – Santa Barbara) and Toulouse laboratories (CNRS, University of Toulouse, IRD, INRAE) in the prestigious journal Nature communications. Our work shows that lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs), which are signaling molecules produced by rhizobial bacteria and by certain fungi that also establish symbiotic relationships with plants, are actually produced by many species of fungi. Our results suggest that LCOs production is common among fungi and that oligosaccharides may function as signals regulating the growth and development of fungi.
Drug carrier systems made from self-assembled glyco-nanoparticles of maltoheptaose-b-polyisoprene enhanced the distribution and activity of curcumin against cancer cells
We have just published the results of our international collaboration with Brazil and in particular Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná and Universidade Federal do Piauí, about the manufacture of carrier systems for drugs, from glyco- self-assembled nanoparticles. Our work improves the distribution and activity of curcumin against cancer cells.
