Reprogramming Cell-Surface Glycan Profiles: Hungarian Researchers Join Consortium to Enhance the Efficacy of Modern Biologics

The surface of human cells, along with the vast majority of proteins they secrete, is heavily modified by an intricately structured layer of carbohydrates — a biological process known as glycosylation. This molecular layer is far more than a protective shield: it serves as a critical biological communication interface, fundamentally influencing intercellular signalling, cellular recognition, and even the spread of cancer. Inside the cell, these complex patterns are assembled through the combined, sequential and rapid action of numerous enzymes. The result is a highly complex and heterogeneous mixture of molecules — referred to as glycoforms — whose precise analysis and modification have long posed a formidable challenge to modern science.

The IMProGlyco Revolution: Programmed Glycoform Engineering

This is precisely the challenge that the international IMProGlyco (Inhibitor-Mediated Programming of Glycoforms) project sets out to address. Researchers aim to intervene directly in the cell's glycosylation machinery in order to dynamically re-engineer glycan structures on the cell surface with an unprecedented degree of control. Funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under its prestigious Pathfinder Open scheme and coordinated by the University of Leeds, the project focuses on developing biotechnological methods for the precise programming of cellular glycoforms.

This technology promises a significant advance for biologics used in modern medicine, such as therapeutic antibodies and cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapies. By engineering precisely optimised glycoform profiles, these biopharmaceuticals stand to become substantially more stable and more effective at eliminating diseased cells, while markedly reducing unwanted immune reactions — such as hypersensitivity responses — in patients.

World-Class Analytics at the Heart of the Project

The consortium brings together a strong international collaboration, including the University of Leeds, the University of York, BOKU University (Vienna), Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo University Hospital, GlycoSeLect, and the Centre for Process Innovation. Joining this network this year is the HUN-REN TTK Lendület Glycan Biomarker Research Group, supported by a successful EU application under the Hop-on Facility scheme.

The Hungarian team plays a pivotal role in this two-year subproject, which commenced on 1 February 2026. Their work centres on high-precision analytical assessment of mammalian cell lines and specific target proteins that have been selectively modified by the international partners.

Dr Lilla Turiák, who leads the research group, and Dr Dávid Virág, a research fellow in the group, are deploying state-of-the-art High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) methods. Using this highly sensitive platform, they map and characterise the glycoproteomic profiles of the engineered cells. In practice, the Hungarian team is responsible for validating the modifications carried out by the international partners have successfully yielded the desired, optimised glycoform patterns.

The official project website is available HERE.