Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center (GaLSIC)
(Japanese: 糖鎖生命システム融合研究所)

1st April 2019

Glycans, known as the third life chain after genomic DNA and proteins, are involved in various biological phenomena such as development, immunity, and neurotransmission. However, compared to research on genomic DNA and proteins, analysis of glycans is more complex, and their physiological functions have not yet been fully elucidated. Currently, big data based on the accumulation of various experimental data is gaining attention for it is the key to understand the essence of various life phenomena involving glycans. Therefore, it is necessary to have not only biological knowledge and skills but also knowledge and skills in information science such as data science, statistics, and mathematical science to utilize big data.
Hence, the Institute was established to create a new fusion field by bringing together experts in the fields of biology and information science to conduct research that integrates glycobiology and glyco-informatics, and to understand the nature of life phenomena involving glycans.

With the aim to create a new academic field that integrates glycobiology and glycol-informatics, the institute is conducting joint research with researchers from abroad and Japan utilizing the institute`s equipment and databases.
In April 2022, the "Glycoscience Collaboration Network" consisting of GalSIC, the institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE) Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, and the institute of Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) National Institutes of Natural Sciences was approved as a "Joint Usage/Collaborative Research Center" by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Research presentation and studies on respective research topics are conducted by the institute’s staffs and external research collaborator regularly.

The research center publishes its research report “Glycan and Life System Integration Center Bulletin” that summarizes research result annually.