The reversible attachment of an activated form of N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) acts as a molecular switch between the growth and arrest of cells, establishing a new role for cell surface glycans.

The biotech is developing two candidates, both of which target poly N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG). The target is expressed by more than 75 pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant microbes ...

The POSTECH team uncovered this mechanism by investigating the byssus of hairy mussels, where proteins containing EGF/EGF-like domains bind strongly to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-based biopolymers.