In addition, we also examine the role of glycopolymers as diagnostics for the detection and monitoring of pathogens. In this review, we highlight studies over the past ten years that have examined the role of glycopolymers in pathogen adhesion and host cell infection, biofilm formation and removal, and drug delivery with the aim of examining the direct effects of these macromolecules on pathogen engagement. Glycopolymers are particularly attractive because their properties can be tuned by careful choice of the scaffold, carbohydrate/glycan, and overall presentation. Glycopolymers are macromolecules composed of a synthetic scaffold presenting carbohydrates as side chain motifs. One class of compounds that has become increasingly important are the glycopolymers. This knowledge has led to the development of glycan-based diagnostics and therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of infection. One such mechanism involves the exploitation of host cell surface glycans for attachment/adhesion, one of the first steps of infection. Thereby, the interaction partners are co-localized in a modular manner. As we have learned to live in parallel with pathogens, we have gained a better understanding of the rules of engagement for how they bind, adhere, and invade host cells. Scaffold proteins, composed of multiple modular interaction domains (for example, proteinprotein interaction domains) or motifs, form flexible platforms where other proteins or relevant molecular components of a specific pathway can bind to. Pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites continue to shape our lives in profound ways every day.
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