1. Organocatalyzed Regioselective functionalization of carbohydrates
Synthesis of orthogonally or differentially protected monosaccharides is a prerequisite for the construction of oligosaccharides via chemical glycosylation. However, making them always requires multiple steps and tedious procedures using conventional methods. We are developing regioselective one-pot methods using organo catalysts with minimal steps and purifications.
2. Development towards Semi-synthetic and fully synthetic glycoconjugate vaccines against bacterial and fungal pathogens
A dense layer of carbohydrates (Glycocalyx) surrounds the cell wall of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Polysaccharide conjugate vaccines have proven to be safe and protect millions of people against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza b, and Neisseria meningitides completely relying on harvesting and isolation of respective glycans from pathogens. We are interested in synthesizing the well-defined oligosaccharides relevant to bacteria or fungi using differentially protected monosaccharides and their further stereoselective glycosidic bond formation. Then we utilize them as vaccine antigens either by chemical conjugation with a protein or an adjuvant. Our lab focuses on We chemistry-based approach to vaccine discovery.
3. Chemical synthesis of vaccine adjuvants
Our lab is also focusing on the synthesis of saponin-based vaccine adjuvant.