UK Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans Academy (UK-P/G Academy)

Proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play important functions in biomedical science, such as cell signalling, wound healing, infections and inflammation, molecular diffusion and synaptic connections. Their dysregulation is linked to multiple diseases including cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegeneration, making them key targets for research and potential new treatments. Despite their importance, PG and GAG research faces challenges due to the lack of functional and structural analytical methods due to their high molecular heterogeneity, and limited labelling techniques. The UK has made significant advancements in this area in recent years, such as methods for analysing GAG-protein interactions using label-free techniques, and machine learning for disaccharide composition analysis. However, the geographical separation of these resources in different UK institutions has limited accessibility and collaboration. Here, we propose to build a network uniting PG/GAG scientists into the UK Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycan (UK-P/G) Academy. This virtual academy will foster knowledge sharing, enhance collaboration, provide access to cutting-edge facilities, and nurture the next generation of glycoscientists. Our vision is to create a one-stop platform, the UK-P/G Academy, for knowledge and skill sharing, as well as strategic development, to strengthen the UK’s leadership in PG and GAG research. It will also attract scientists from other fields and stakeholders, including biotech and pharma companies, ensuring a sustainable and robust research community dedicated to scientific excellence. The specific aims to achieve our vision are: Aim 1. Create a platform for the sharing of knowledge and skills in PG/GAG technology and biology, Aim 2. Foster collaboration through joint pump-priming projects, Aim 3. Nurture the next generation of scientists to democratise PG/GAG research, Aim 4. Develop a strategic plan to maintain and grow the UK’s leading position in PG/GAG research beyond the duration of the project. UK has a long tradition of excellence in glycoscience research. Globally, we are within the top three position in terms of publication outputs in the area of PG and GAG, after the USA and Japan, two countries with a strong tradition of dedicated funding resources for the glycosciences. Through the organisation of network events and technology transfer workshops, support for secondments, pump-priming and summer projects, presentation and travel awards, the development of resources sharing platform, mentorship schemes, and half-yearly discussion forums for strategic directions, we anticipate that the UK-P/G Academy will develop excellent glycoscientists at all career stages, provide an inclusive environment to bring together diverse groups of researchers and other stakeholders, and enable sharing of knowledge and creation across the research community, which will ultimately strengthen the lead of UK in this research area.