
Paula Videira, leader of the Glycoimmunology Lab at UCIBIO - NOVA FCT, and Elizabeth Nanak, CEO of GlycoNet, one of the world’s leaders in glycomics, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement to collaborate and advance the fields of glycomics and glycoscience, which involve the study of carbohydrates or sugars in biological systems.
Both institutions, UCIBIO-NOVA FCT and GlycoNet, boast leading experts in glycoscience, fostering innovation ecosystems that support translational research with advanced tools and resources. The GLYCOTwinning Project, coordinated by UCIBIO-NOVA FCT researchers Paula Videira, Angelina Palma, and Filipa Marcelo, is a capacity-building network funded by Horizon Europe. It aims to promote scientific excellence, innovation, and research infrastructures in glycoscience. Under this project, collaborations with Canadian researchers have begun, culminating in the memorandum of understanding with GlycoNet, a Canadian glycomics research network. GlycoNet will develop the ‘GlycoNet Integrated Services (GIS)’ project, providing access to advanced technologies and infrastructure for researchers and clients worldwide.
‘We are proud to sign this agreement with GlycoNet, which will enable us to combine our expertise to accelerate innovation in glycosciences,’ says Paula Videira, Professor at NOVA FCT and one of the GLYCOTwinning coordinators. ‘Glycoscience, as a rapidly advancing field, holds significant technological potential. Research collaboration is essential to address complex problems more effectively and translate them into solutions to improve human health.’
This agreement strengthens ties between GlycoNet and UCIBIO-NOVA FCT, identifying collaboration opportunities, promoting networking, cross-training, and sharing best practices and resources that support the joint commitment to the development of glycomics and glycoscience.
‘By studying the critical roles that glycans play in many biological processes, glycoscientists are developing new tools and strategies to improve human, animal, and environmental health,’ explains Elizabeth Nanak, CEO of GlycoNet. ‘This partnership with NOVA FCT will drive innovation in glycomics through international collaboration, networking, and training opportunities for students and researchers in Canada and Portugal.’
In the news
NOVA FCT e GlycoNET assinam acordo para investigar glicanos, Atlas Saúde