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, Time TBD

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. Glycosylation and other post-translational modifications on proteins are characterized by the addition of various lipids to proteins in which the diversity of proteins increases and the function of their signaling network is improved. Studying the dynamic changes in glycan and glycoconjugate profiles is essential to understand key biological processes in organisms which in turn help us elucidate disease mechanisms. GlyGen is an international research endeavor, funded by The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to facilitate glycoscience research by integrating diverse multi-omics and biochemistry knowledge. Such a glycoinformatics repository exists as an online portal that enables browser-based access to various glycan and protein data via a plethora of diverse yet complementary resources. The portal offers tools for searching for glycans and proteins, viewing comprehensive glycan and protein data, and exporting the data to a local system, which enable users to use to address biological issues pertaining to biology and glycobiology.

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 be demonstrating 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, as well as providing valuable feedback on the user experience perspective which aids in the continuous development of GlyGen in the future.

Schedule

Time	Duration	Topic	Presenter(s)
TBD depending on the form	10 min	Welcome and introduction (to presenters and GW staff)	All
	20 min	Basics of glycobiology	All
	20 min	GlyGen Introduction	Naina Bethi
	20 min	GlyGen Mapper and Structure Browser	All
	10 min	Break
	20 min	CFDE home page and main portal (chart and data filler demonstration)	Sanvi Desai
	20 min	CFDE data portals and tools (gene and drug landing page aggregator; EGFR demonstration)	Nikhil Vattathara
	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, Sanvi Desai, Nikhil Vattathara

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

Acknowledgement

Raja Mazumder – Principal Investigator at GW

Jingyue Wu – Supervisor

Jeet Vora – 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