In this interview I speak to Dr Hafiz Ahmed, who is the Editor in Chief of the newly-launched open access journal Glycobiology Insights, in addition to Organic Chemistry Insights. Dr Ahmed is Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in Baltimore.

Tom: What would you say is the primary focus of your research effort (and how do you refer to your 'sub-area')?

The overall goal of my research is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms and the structural basis of protein-carbohydrate interactions that modulate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, which, in turn, mediate various biological processes such as cell activation, growth regulation, cancer metastasis, and apoptosis. Particularly, my laboratory focuses on basic and translational research of galectins (a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins), their epigenetic modifications in tumor development, and application of these methylated galectins for diagnosis of cancers. The use of galectin-nanoparticle conjugates to target cancer cells for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions and the application of natural carbohydrate inhibitors of galectins for the prevention of cancer metastasis are also the primary focuses of my research work.

Tom: What do you consider to be the most significant developments arising from research in your area?

Glycosylation is the most common form of post-translational modification in proteins. Glycoproteins and glycolipids are major components of the outer surface of mammalian cells and thus they represent key structures not only for the interactions between cells or between cells and ECM, but also for nonself interactions with toxins, viruses, bacteria, and micro-organisms. Up until a few years ago, the glycobiology research has been very slow probably due to the complex nature of the carbohydrate structure. Thanks to the current protein and molecular biology technologies such as gene knock-out, protein array, carbohydrate array, and mass spectrometry which facilitate the glycobiology research. Role of protein-carbohydrate interactions in growth development, immune functions, apoptosis, and cancer metastasis has now been established.

Tom: What do you consider to be the most significant open questions and research challenges in your area?

I think the detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the protein-carbohydrate interactions that mediate the biological processes described above is still a challenge. Another big challenge is to catch the “protein-carbohydrate interactions in action”. Although significant advances have been made in the elucidation of carbohydrate structure, sequencing of carbohydrates is still time-consuming and laborious. Automated sequencing of carbohydrates, if possible, will be a significant breakthrough in the glycobiology research.

Tom: Tell us about your collaborative research. Who else do you directly work with and what are the aims of your collaboration?

I believe scientific collaboration is essential nowadays for timely completion of a project goal. Currently, I am enjoying strong collaboration with many eminent researchers from several institutes in USA and abroad such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard School of Public Health, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center, Georgetown University, and Univeristy of Palermo (Italy). The aim of my collaboration is to bring various expertises together to achieve scientific excellence.

Tom: Is balancing all these activities challenging? How do you deal with it and what tools do you find useful in doing so?

Maintaining an effective collaboration is sometimes challenging, but is manageable. I usually set priorities and timeline to meet the deadline.

Tom: When did you decide to be primarily involved in the field that you are now in?

I studied Carbohydrate Chemistry while obtaining my master degree in Organic Chemistry. It was that connection for which I decided to work on lectins for my Ph.D. Since then, I have been working on lectins and glycobiology. First few years, my research was focused on the structure-function aspects of the lectins, especially galectins from several organisms of vertebrates, amphibians, and invertebrates. My passion for understanding the biological roles of protein-carbohydrate interactions in normal functions and disease states is relatively new.

Tom: What resources do you find indispensible for your research work?

Funding is the number one resource I find very important for the research work. Dedicated people and effective collaborations are also critical for my work. For my translational research work, I need biological specimens. Therefore, kind support of the tissue networks such as Cooperative Human Tissue Network (National Cancer Institute), Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource (NCI), and National Disease Research Interchange are also essential for my research work.

Tom: What do you think about the development of open access publishing and open access development? How has it changed your perspective on research or development practices?

Open access publishing allows scholarly work is not only freely and openly accessible online with no licensing, copyright, or subscription restrictions, but also available immediately upon acceptance. In this respect, open access publishing has a very good future ahead. But, the quality of the articles must be maintained through peer-review in order to be successful and sustainable.

Tom: What books do you think should be required reading for researchers working in your area?

There are several good books available in my research area. However, if I have to name 3 books from the recent publications, I would choose the following.

1. “Introduction to Glycobiology” by M.E. Taylor and K. Drickamer (Oxford University Press). This is an excellent book for the beginners. I extensively use this book for my teaching. [Amazon]

2. “Essentials of Glycobiology” (Eds. A. Varki and others, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press). The book provides a comprehensive presentation of glycobiology for novices as well as experts. [Amazon]

3. I just co-edited a book entitled “Animal lectins: a functional view” (Eds. G.R. Vasta and H. Ahmed, Taylor and Francis). Featuring contributions from the top-notch scientists, this book presents up-to-date knowledge of the glycobiology field, including biological roles of animal lectins; glycoprotein folding, sorting, and targeting; cell adhesion; embryogenesis; cell-cell interactions and signaling. [Amazon]

Tom: What books are current on your reading list?

Dr. Ahmed: Honestly, none. My book is my “laptop”, web connected, of course. I gather most information through my laptop.

Tom: Do you teach any courses? Is so, which ones?

My current appointment does not require mandatory teaching. However, I plan to teach a course on “Practical Protein Chemistry” in the upcoming Fall semester. I have a book on this subject entitled “Principles and reactions of protein extraction, purification, and characterization” (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, 2004) [Amazon]. I am also a guest lecturer of “glycobiology” to other course in the University.

Tom: Which historical research figures do you think have most influenced you in how you think about research? Why are they significant?

Not anybody in particular. But, all the researchers who contributed enormously in the glycobiology field are my heroes and inspiration.

Tom: Which meetings do you attend on a regular basis?

Every year I try to attend at least one meeting on glycobiology, glycoconjugates, and lectins, and one meeting on cancer diagnosis and prevention. I love these meetings. The meeting provides opportunity to meet people and helps me develop research ideas and establish collaborations.

Tom: If you could change something about how research in your area is conducted, used, perceived, or resourced, what would it be?

In last few years, glycobiology research has accelerated to a new pace probably because of a huge initiative by the National Institute of Health (USA) and strong scientific interactions world wide through Consortium of Functional Glycomics. But more funding must be available to continue glycobiology research and also to attract talented young scientists into this field to overcome many challenges ahead.

My thanks to Dr Ahmed.

share on