Guanajuato, Gto., October 4, 2017.- Dr. Juana Elizabeth Reyes Martínez and Dr. Héctor M. Mora Montes, researchers of the Department of Biology of the University of Guanajuato (UG), promote the generation of liaisons with other countries through an international workshop, that has the main objective to propitiate and consolidate the research agreements with British researchers in glycobiology.

The department which is part of the Division of Natural and Exact Sciences of Campus Guanajuato, is the one who is organizing the workshop "Biotechnology and glycobiology tools for human health", which will have the participation of researchers with a sound international career.

Glycobiology consists in the study of the molecular structure and biological function of the free polysaccharides or present in glycoproteins, glycolipids and proteoglycans, as well as the proteins who specifically interact with the polysaccharides (including lectins, glycosyltransferases and glycosides).

Dr. Juana Elizabeth Reyes Martínez, professor and researcher, highlighted the importance to study the carbohydrates, commonly called sugar, as one of the most abundant organic molecules in our planet.

"This kind of molecules are involved in a great variety of biological processes, such as fertilization, cellular differentiation, and in different diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and the interaction with pathogens such as influenza", she added.

Hence, she affirms, it is important to promote research project focused on studying sugars and how they are related to human health.

So, "this workshop is a unique opportunity so the Mexican researchers can interact with consolidated researchers from the UK, in an environment of academic cooperation."

Dr. Reyes Martínez, shared that besides the search for new binational collaborations and the consolidation of the existing ones, the workshop will generate a "road map" to develop glyco-sciences in Mexico, which will work as a development plan to position this discipline within the array of frontier technologies the country has.

It is important to mention that the workshop is done as part of a binational agreement, backed by the British Council for Research and the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt)(MX) through the initiative Researcher links promoted by the Newton Fund.

The event will have the participation of 15 specialists from the UK and several Mexican research groups and it will be held from October 9 to 11 at the facilities of Hotel Guanajuato in Guanajuato Capital.