Sialic Acid Analysis Service
- Sample collection and homogenization.
- Protein or glycoprotein extraction.
- Glycan release from glycoproteins using sialidase enzymes.
- Sialic acid-containing glycans or glycopeptides are enriched using chromatography techniques, such as HILIC (Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography).
- Derivatization of sialic acids with fluorescent labels to enhance detection sensitivity.
- Separation of sialylated glycans or glycopeptides using HPLC or LC-MS.
- Detection and quantification using mass spectrometry (MS) to confirm the presence and quantity of sialic acid residues.
- Identification of sialic acid types and their linkage positions.
- Quantitative analysis to determine the relative abundance of sialylated glycans.
- Interpretation and reporting of sialic acid content, including specific sialylation patterns.
- Therapeutic Glycoprotein Optimization: Assess sialic acid content and composition in monoclonal antibodies, Fc-fusion proteins, and recombinant enzymes to improve stability, serum half-life, and efficacy.
- Process Monitoring and Quality Control: Track sialylation patterns throughout cell line development, upstream fermentation, and downstream purification to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
- Biosimilarity and Comparability Studies: Compare Neu5Ac/Neu5Gc ratios, O-acetylation levels, and linkage profiles between biosimilars and reference biologics to meet regulatory requirements.
- Glycoprotein Characterization: Analyze sialylation patterns on glycoproteins to understand their structural diversity, linkage types, and modification levels in different disease states. Such characterization can reveal correlations between altered sialylation and pathological processes, support biomarker discovery, and contribute to the understanding of disease progression at the molecular level.
- Cell Physiology: Investigate how sialic acids regulate cell–cell interactions, receptor binding, and immune recognition. Study the role of sialylation in cell signaling pathways, differentiation, migration, and adhesion, as well as its involvement in pathogen entry and immune evasion mechanisms.
- Nutritional Glycomics: Quantify sialic acids in dairy products, infant formula, and functional foods to evaluate nutritional value and bioactive potential.
- Food Authenticity and Quality Control: Differentiate natural versus synthetic sources of sialic acids in food products and verify ingredient authenticity.
- Functional Ingredient Development: Support the design of sialic acid-enriched foods aimed at cognitive health, immune modulation, or gut microbiome support.
- Summary of experimental methods and objectives
- Quantitative results for sialic acid content in glycans or glycoproteins
- Structural characterization of sialylation patterns, including linkage and type of sialic acid
- Visual representations such as chromatograms and mass spectra
- Raw data files and processed results
- Interpretation report based on project targets, including biological relevance and recommendations
Sialic acids are a diverse family of acidic monosaccharides typically found at the outermost positions of glycan chains in glycoproteins and glycolipids. They are characterized by a nine-carbon backbone and commonly occur in forms such as N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). These terminal sugars are highly exposed on the cell surface, making them critical participants in molecular recognition and communication events.
Functionally, sialic acids play key roles in cell–cell interaction, immune modulation, receptor binding, and pathogen recognition. They influence physiological processes such as embryonic development, neural function, and inflammation, while also being implicated in pathological conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. In the biopharmaceutical field, sialylation patterns on therapeutic glycoproteins can affect drug stability, serum half-life, and immunogenicity, directly impacting their efficacy and safety profiles.
Figure 1. Regulatory Roles of Sialic Acids in the Immune System
Service at MtoZ Biolabs
With proven expertise in glycoanalytics, MtoZ Biolabs delivers a scientifically rigorous Sialic Acid Analysis Service, transforming complex glycosylation patterns into clear, quantifiable insights for research and industry applications. Our Sialic Acid Analysis Service offers a complete sialylation profile, covering the absolute quantification of sialic acid residues per molecule, the relative amounts of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and the relative percentage of O-acetylated sialic acids. We also perform detailed structural characterization of sialylated glycans, including composition, branching, linkage types, and the positional arrangement of sialic acids within glycan chains, providing a complete picture of sialylation for research, development, and quality control purposes. This information enables the evaluation of glycosylation consistency, the assessment of manufacturing process impacts, and the exploration of sialylation's influence on biological activity.
MtoZ Biolabs has established an advanced technology platform for sialic acid analysis:
💠Chromatographic Separation Techniques
We employ multiple chromatography-based methods to separate and quantify sialic acids with high sensitivity and resolution. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) are used for the separation of derivatized sialic acids and sialylated glycans, while Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) provides effective enrichment and separation of sialylated glycans and glycopeptides. High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) enables the direct analysis of underivatized monosaccharides, including sialic acids, with high specificity.
💠Mass Spectrometry-Based Analysis
Our mass spectrometry platforms combine high sensitivity with detailed structural resolution. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) allows precise quantification and in-depth structural analysis of sialylated glycans and glycopeptides, while Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) enables rapid, high-throughput profiling of sialylated structures. Together, these methods provide complementary strengths for both targeted quantification and comprehensive structural mapping.
💠Linkage-Specific Derivatization Techniques
To distinguish between different sialic acid linkage types, we apply chemical derivatization strategies that modify sialic acids in a linkage-dependent manner. These methods enable clear differentiation of α2,3- and α2,6-linked residues and enhance detection sensitivity in mass spectrometric analysis, ensuring accurate determination of sialylation patterns.
Analysis Workflow
Our sialic acid analysis service is organized into the following key steps:
1. Sample Preparation
2. Enrichment and Derivatization
3. Separation and Detection
4. Data Processing and Analysis
Why Choose MtoZ Biolabs?
✔️Advanced Analysis Platform
MtoZ Biolabs established an advanced Sialic Acid Analysis Service platform, guaranteeing reliable, fast, and highly accurate analysis service.
✔️Customizable Solutions
We offer flexible workflows to address a wide range of sample types and analytical goals, from early discovery to commercial production.
✔️High-Data-Quality
Deep data coverage with strict data quality control. AI-powered bioinformatics platform integrates all sialic acid analysis data, providing clients with a comprehensive data report.
✔️Comprehensive Expertise
MtoZ Biolabs brings deep expertise in glycoproteomics, mass spectrometry, and biopharmaceutical analysis to provide accurate and reliable sialic acid analysis.
✔️One-Time-Charge
Our pricing is transparent, no hidden fees or additional costs.
Applications
1. Biopharmaceutical Development
2. Biomedical Research
3. Food Industry
Sample Submission Suggestions
All samples should be collected under sterile conditions, kept on ice during processing, and stored at –80°C prior to shipment. Ship samples on dry ice with proper labeling and accompanying documentation.
If you have special sample types or require additional guidance, please contact us for personalized support before shipping.
Deliverables
Upon completion of the analysis, MtoZ Biolabs will provide:
Related Services
High-Throughput Sialic Acid Screening Service
Sialic Acid Content Analysis Service
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