Biothera Develops New Method for Analyzing Beta Glucan Structure.Presented at International Carbohydrate Symposium and American Chemical Society The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a learned society (professional association) based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has over 160,000 members at all degree-levels and in EAGAN, Minn. -- Biothera has developed a new analytical method to characterize a key structural attribute of beta 1,3/1,6 glucans glucans (gloo´kans), n.pl the polyglucose compounds such as cellulose, starch, amylose, glycogen amylose, and callose. , which will aid researchers developing this immune-enhancing carbohydrate for pharmaceutical applications. The method was presented recently to scientists at both the International Carbohydrate Symposium in Oslo, Norway, and the American Chemical Society national meeting in Philadelphia. Beta 1,3 glucans are polysaccharides known for their ability to enhance innate immune responses. Derived from the cell walls of yeast and fungi, beta glucans can vary in terms of molecular weight, frequency of side chain branching, and the length and composition of side chains. These structural variations may affect bioactivity bi·o·ac·tiv·i·ty n. The effect of a given agent, such as a vaccine, upon a living organism or on living tissue. . "We believe our on-going analytical chemistry program will become the new gold standard for structural characterization of beta glucan glucan /glu·can/ (gloo´kan) any polysaccharide composed only of recurring units of glucose; a homopolymer of glucose. glu·can n. A polysaccharide, such as cellulose, that is a polymer of glucose. ," said Daniel Conners, Biothera chairman and founder. "It is critical to fully characterize these compounds to further our understanding of their bioactivity and, ultimately, enable the development of pharmaceuticals." The Biothera method, which employs alkaline degradation, analyzes the length, distribution and composition of side chains that contribute to beta glucan's potency as an immune modulator Modulator Any device or circuit by means of which a desired signal is impressed upon a higher-frequency periodic wave known as a carrier. The process is called modulation. The modulator may vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of the carrier. . The presentation in Norway was entitled, "Analysis of Side Chain Lengths of Branched -1,3-Glucans by Alkaline Degradation." "The new assay reflects Biothera's position as a world leader in carbohydrate chemistry," said Mr. Conners. "We are committed to pioneering beta glucan technology." About Biothera, the Immune Health Company Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health. The company is developing pharmaceuticals that engage the innate immune system
The state in which the body recognizes foreign materials and is able to neutralize them before they can do any harm. Mentioned in: Herbalism, Traditional Chinese, Stress Reduction to the nutritional supplement, functional food, cosmetic and animal nutrition markets. (www.biothera.com) |
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