Glycomics Institute to assist Australian sugar industry

Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics, in collaboration with Sugar Research Australia, has been awarded a $1.1 million research grant to assist the Australian sugar industry.

The Institute for Glycomics, based on Griffith's Gold Coast campus, is one of only six facilities in the world dedicated to the study of glycans and carbohydrates (sugars) and how they behave in terms of disease prevention and cure.

While this new project may seem a world away from drug discovery, General Manager of the Institute, Dr Chris Davis is thrilled by the collaboration.

"We are delighted that we can use the tools we've developed for discovering new drugs based on sugars for cancer and infectious diseases, and apply them to help further develop technologies for the Australian sugar industry," Dr Davis said.

Principal Investigator and Director of the Institute for Glycomics, Professor Mark von Itzstein is also looking forward to the research project.

"Here at the Institute for Glycomics, we are very focused on translating our discovery science and know-how into real benefits for industry and ultimately the community.

"In this project we are applying our expertise in glycoscience to assist the sugar industry manage aspects of raw sugar quality."

Provided by Griffith University