Synthesis of sialic acid analoges for investigation of antagonistic activity against bacterial sialic acid transporters

Sialic acids are monosaccharides commonly located towards the end of the glycans in the human cell membrane. Therefore, sialic acids are in direct contact with the surroundings of the cell and are important antigens involved in the identification of human cells for the immune system. Some pathogenic bacteria have developed mechanisms for absorbing this sugar, and can use it to glycosylate their lipopolysaccharides, masking them from the human...