GlycoCraft.EDU: A Hands-On Educational Platform to Enhance Glycan Integration in Biomedical Research Through Experiment-Based Learning

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT GlycoCraft.EDU program is a modular, experiment-based educational platform designed to democratize access to glycoscience training and enhance the integration of glycans into biomedical research. Despite their essential roles in development, immunity, host-pathogen interactions, and disease progression, glycans remain underrepresented in mainstream biomedical education and research due to limited training opportunities and geographic concentration of expertise. GlycoCraft.EDU addresses this gap by delivering portable, hands-on training kits – modeled after home meal kit services – that enable researchers at all career stages to perform glycomics experiments in standard laboratory settings, regardless of location or prior experience. The GlycoCraft.EDU program builds upon the foundational Introduction to Glycoscience and Glycobootcamp courses developed by the UC San Diego Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC) and expands their reach through the creation of seven core experimental modules focused on fundamental techniques for glycan isolation and characterization. Each module introduces a distinct glycan class or glycoconjugate type through a combination of interactive virtual instruction, structured hands-on experimentation, and iterative feedback. Participants will acquire practical skills in isolating and analyzing glycans from biological specimens using standardized protocols and reagents provided in self-contained training kits. Upon completion of each module, samples will be submitted to the GRTC GlycoAnalytics Core for centralized analysis and expert consultation. This feedback mechanism reinforces technical proficiency, promotes data quality, and supports continuous learning. The program’s instructional, experimental, and feedback components will be seamlessly integrated through a dedicated mobile application designed to support remote learning, concept reinforcement, and participant engagement across geographically diverse settings. This R25 IPERT initiative will develop, deploy, and evaluate GlycoCraft.EDU across diverse institutional settings, including R1-level research institutions and primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), focusing on accessibility, scalability, and sustainability. Program outcomes will be assessed through participant surveys, research integration metrics, and longitudinal tracking. By decentralizing glycoscience education and embedding it within varied biomedical contexts, GlycoCraft.EDU aims to cultivate a more technically proficient and glycan-literate biomedical workforce.