Fighting diseases of global impact
The Institute for Glycomics, founded 20 years ago, was so named due to its multidisciplinary research approach centred around glycomics.
Our unique research expertise makes us the only institute of its kind in Australia and only one of a handful in the world. We seek to collaborate with leading scientists around the world to build a critical mass around this multidisciplinary research. Global collaboration is essential to achieving our vision to bring forward novel drugs and vaccines to the community.
Welcome to the Institute for Glycomics
What is glycomics?
Glycomics is the study of the carbohydrate or sugar language within our body, referred to as the ‘glycome’. Every cell in our body is decorated with these sugars, which are essential to our health and wellbeing.
These simple sugar molecules connect together to create powerful structures called ‘glycans’. Cancers and infectious diseases can take advantage of glycans, resulting in major health problems and potentially death.
The study of sugars – glycomics – is a relatively new field of study compared with genomics (the study of genes) and proteomics (the study of proteins). However, glycomics is now a rising star thanks to the development of new tools to effectively identify sugar structures and their involvement in disease.
Our research focusses on the role that sugars play in disease and, using that knowledge, invent new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics to treat, prevent or diagnose cancer and infectious diseases.
Our vision
“To be a world-leader in the discovery and development of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics through the application of innovative multidisciplinary science in a unique research environment.”
Our mission
“Fighting diseases of global impact through discovery and translational science.”
Our research approach
A major research theme is discovering the role that sugars/carbohydrates play in disease and use that knowledge to develop new drugs and vaccines which will interfere with the biological process of disease. We provide a multidisciplinary approach to research and education, spanning medicinal and computational chemistry, various biological and physical sciences. This approach presents an exciting platform for the control of a wide-range of medical conditions such as infectious disease, cancer and other disorders.
Celebrating 20 years
2020 marks our 20th Anniversary year: 20 years of remarkable research
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Latest news
Institute for Glycomics receives $100,000 grant from The Ian Potter Foundation
04 Jun 2020
Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics has been awarded a Medical Research grant of $100,000...
Early detection test for ovarian cancer closer with funding boost
27 May 2020
Research into the development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer at Griffith...
Study shows toxin family binds to sugar receptors on human cells to cause damage
23 May 2020
Griffith University research has found that sugars decorating human cells allow toxins, produced by...
The importance of listing Strep A as a Neglected Tropical Disease
22 May 2020
Strep A, which can lead to serious illness and death if untreated, should be recognised as a...
Institute for Glycomics wins NHMRC Investigator Grants
20 May 2020
The Institute for Glycomics has been awarded two National Health and Medical Research Council...
Impacts of research shut-down to be felt long after pandemic ends scientists...
30 Apr 2020
Lives are at risk due to ceasing research on diseases that in addition to COVID-19 have a major...