🎙️ New Episode Alert – Carbohydrate Chronicles, S2E2In this episode of Carbohydrate Chronicles, we’re diving deep into the world of cyclodextrins (CDs) and their fascinating potential in biological drug formulations. From stabilizing delicate protein therapeutics to boosting vaccine efficacy and breaking new ground in gene therapy, CDs are proving to be far more than just sugar rings. We unpack how their unique structure allows for molecular encapsulation—enhancing solubility, stability, and delivery while minimizing side effects. Whether you're in drug development or just love cutting-edge biotech, this masterclass offers a fresh look at how CDs are redefining the biologics space.We also explore real-world applications and challenges: Why haven't CD-based monoclonal antibodies reached the market yet? How do CDs stack up against polysorbates, and what makes them ideal cryoprotectants in vaccines? Plus, get a sneak peek at CarboHyde’s pioneering research into CD-based gene delivery systems that could rival lipid nanoparticles in efficiency and safety. Tune in to discover how these versatile molecules are quietly reshaping the future of pharmaceutical formulations.
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25:25
CarboHyde Masterclass III - Application beyond pharma
Podcast Summary: Cyclodextrins – More Than Just PharmaIn this episode, we explore the surprising versatility of cyclodextrins—natural molecules that improve solubility, stability, and delivery of other substances.They're not just for medicine! Cyclodextrins are used in:Supplements: Boosting ingredients like vitamin D and curcumin.Food: Enhancing texture, shelf life, and reducing cholesterol.Cosmetics: Stabilizing and releasing active ingredients and fragrances.Agriculture & Textiles: Improving delivery of nutrients and embedding scents in fabrics.Energy & Environment: From better batteries to filtering pollutants.Even Space Missions: Helping detect molecules on Mars!💡 Bottom line: Cyclodextrins are tiny, powerful tools shaping many industries—with endless potential ahead.
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18:27
CarboHydrate Chronicles - László Somsák
Carbohydrate chemistry, the final frontier. These ubiquitous building blocks of life are still the most challenging biomolecules to manipulate due to their structural diversity and complexity. A realm where only the bravest creative chemists can go, to deeply understand their biological importance, explore and embrace their therapeutic value. The use of carbohydrates as actives is an emerging field with a vast potential in several areas like cancer treatment, rare diseases or infections.
Our guest today is László Somsák, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Debrecen, Expert in the synthesis of glycomimetics and biologically active carbohydrates.
László has been working at Debrecen University for exactly 40 years now, with a main research interest in designing novel synthetic routes to create carbohydrates, and discover glycomimetics, glycopeptidomimetics, and lectin inhibitors. He is a board member of nearly all local and international carbohydrate organizations and serves in the editorial board of the prestigious journal, CarboHydrate Research. He has almost 400 publications available on the topic.
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28:03
CarboHydrate Chronicles - Barbara Richichi
As we already learned in the past weeks, glycoscience is certainly an interdisciplinary subject where both chemistry and biology play a critical role in understanding and success. Steering a ship in these waters is a very complex challenge that needs focus and persistence.
Our guest this week, Barbara Richichi, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florence is a captain on such a ship and will help us understand how carbohydrates could be used as building blocks of complex nanomaterials and how glycomimetics are designed.
Barbara’s lab (GlycoFluoNano) is engaged in three main areas of Glycoscience that are at the interface between Glycochemistry and Glycobiology, specifically in the: i) synthesis of glycomimetics and glycan-based therapeutics; ii) synthesis and functionalization of glyconanomaterials; and iii) the synthesis of fluorescent probes.
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28:31
CarboHydrate Chronicles - Matthew "Oki" O'Connor
For decades, scientists lived in a paradigm that cyclodextrins are useful excipients and additives with numerous applications and that’s it. The pioneers came and broke these chains, releasing the true potential of these molecules. First Sugammadex was discovered (which is now a blockbuster drug), and later long known cyclodextrins were re-purposed as active ingredients for various therapeutic indications. Some of these developments are now in phase III and II clinical trials for a rare genetic indication and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research started to flourish both in the academia and industry, and companies like Cyclarity Therapeutics were incorporated focusing on cyclodextrin-based drug discovery and development. Today, our guest is Dr Matthew ‘Oki’ O’Connor, founder and co-CEO of Cyclarity Tx.
Oki is a true longevity warrior, who dedicated all his professional career to this research area. After finishing his studies, Oki almost immediately joined SENS Research Foundation as head of research developing, promoting, and ensuring widespread access to therapies that cure and prevent the diseases and disabilities of aging which he left for Cyclarity eventually. He is also a board member of the Longevity Biotech Fellowship and Senior Reviewer of Vitadao, a decentralized collective funding initiative for early-stage longevity research.
Welcome to the Carbohydrate Chronicles, a podcast about Glycoscience and glycoscientists. In this show, via a series of interviews, we explore the world of carbohydrate science and innovation from the personal point of view hosted by Tamas Sohajda, a member of CarboHyde’s scientific team.
This show is supported by CarboHyde, where we find it important and essential to get familiar with the research and the researcher itself. In our series, we invite key opinion leaders of the glycoscience field both from academia and industry, to work on various angles of carbohydrates.
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