GlyGen CFDE Workshop Summer 2023

This workshop provides an opportunity to learn about glycobiology and introduce bioinformatic resources to answer a biological question.

2-hour GlyGen & NIH Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE) workshop

Date & Time: Monday August 7th, 2023, 1 - 3 pm

Free Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glygen-workshop-tickets-675418624287?aff=oddtdtcreator

Abstract

Glycobiology is the study of the structure, production, biology, and evolution of sugars and glycans, which are found in all cells in nature. Glycans are enzymatically attached to other macromolecules, primarily proteins, and lipids, in a process known as glycosylation. This post-translational modification plays an important role in protein folding, function, and cellular interactions. It is essential to study the dynamic changes in glycosylation and biosynthetic pathways, as glycans modulate normal biological functions and are involved in most major human diseases. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) have provided funding for the worldwide research project GlyGen, which aims to advance glycoscience studies by integrating various multi-omics and glycobiology knowledge. GlyGen exists as an online portal that allows users to browse various glycan and protein data via a wide range of unique yet complementary resources. Users can utilize the portal's features to investigate questions related to biology and glycobiology and examine detailed glycan and protein data.

In addition, Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE) is an NIH funded project that pools all of common fund recipients into one association which compiles resources and databases to enable users to explore and connect bioinformatics knowledge networks. By launching a series of cooperative projects that bring together eight Common Fund Data Coordinating Centers (DCCs), the CFDE took a significant step toward developing this resource. These projects will help create this functional ecosystem for addressing important biological questions, such as locating novel molecular pathways and shedding light on disease mechanisms. A crosscut metadata model (C2M2) is implemented in CFDE to properly integrate all of the input, as well as assist in the standardization of other data from the DCCs.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring together high school students who are interested in developing early-on research knowledge and skills in biochemistry, glycobiology, computer science, and bioinformatics. Each presenter will demonstrate glycan and protein analysis using GlyGen and CFDE tools described above, followed by a Q&A session at the end of the workshop. The attendees will gain basic knowledge on how to efficiently use bioinformatics resources to answer biological questions and provide valuable feedback on the user experience perspective which aids in the continuous development of GlyGen.

Schedule

Time	Duration	Topic	Presenter(s)
1 - 1:15 pm	10 min	Welcome and introduction (to presenters and GW staff)	All
1:15 - 1:35 pm	20 min	Basics of glycobiology	All
1:35 - 1:55 pm	20 min	GlyGen Introduction and GlyGen BLAST	Naina Bethi
1:55 - 2:15 pm	20 min	GlyGen Mapper and Structure Browser	All
2:15 - 2:20 pm	5 min	Break
2:20 - 2:40 pm	20 min	CFDE home page and main portal (chart and data filler demonstration)	Sanvi Desai
2:40 - 3:00 pm	20 min	CFDE data portals and tools (Gene and Drug Landing Page Aggregator; EGFR demonstration)	Nikhil Vattathara
3:00 - 3:10 pm	10 min	Q&A	All

Presentation/Discussion Sessions

Each presentation/discussion session will demonstrate the use and practice of corresponding GlyGen and CFDE portal and tools. Audience are allowed to ask questions during each session by raising hands or posting the questions in the chat. All the unanswered questions will be addressed by the presenters during the Q&A session at the end of the workshop.

Organization Committee

Naina Bethi (ORCID ID: 0009-0005-9409-2739)

Sanvi Desai (ORCID ID: 0009-0009-3376-5708)

Nikhil Vattathara (ORCID ID: 0009-0000-4747-1473)

This workshop is organized by high-school students as part of their eight week internship.

Acknowledgement

Raja Mazumder (ORCID: 0000-0001-8823-9945) – Principal Investigator at GW

Jingyue Wu (ORCID: 0000-0001-8523-2676) – Supervisor

Jeet Vora (ORCID: 0000-0002-5317-1458) – Co-supervisor

Supported by the GlyGen team at The George Washington University

Contact

For questions about registration or general inquiries, please contact:

Jingyue Wu: jingyue.wu@email.gwu.edu

Jeet Vora: jeetvora@gwu.edu