2024/09/17

CIC bioGUNE hosts Dr. Christian Büll from Radboud University to share knowledge in glycobiology

Dr. Christian Büll, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University (Netherlands), recently visited the facilities of CIC bioGUNE – member of BRTA – in the context of the thesis defense of researcher Klaudia Sobczak. This visit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and explore new collaboration possibilities in the field of glycobiology.

During his stay, Dr. Büll was hosted by Principal Investigators June Ereño-Orbea and Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, leaders of the Cancer Glycoimmunology Lab and Chemical Glycobiology Lab, respectively.

Dr. Büll is an expert in glycobiology, focusing on areas such as glycans, sialic acids, and sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs). His research investigates how these compounds influence immune system regulation, cell-cell interactions, and pathologies such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.

During his visit, Dr. Büll met with CIC bioGUNE researchers to discuss recent advances in glycobiology and explore potential future collaborations. He also delivered a seminar titled “Genetic Glycoengineering to Dissect Sialoglycan Interactions and Functions”, where he presented his innovative genetic glycoengineering platform. This technology allows for the genetic modification of human cells to precisely study the synthesis and function of sialoglycans, complex glycans involved in regulating various biological functions.

Dr. Büll emphasized the significance of sialoglycans in health and diseases, highlighting how his platform enables the production of cells and glycoproteins with specific structures to investigate critical molecular interactions with the immune system and the microbiome. He also discussed how alterations in sialoglycan expression are associated with diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disorders.

Dr. Büll's visit not only contributes to strengthening CIC bioGUNE's international collaboration with leading institutions like Radboud University but also opens new avenues for advancing key areas in biomedicine and fostering future joint research.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

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