The Science of Sugars: Momenta Pharmaceuticals
Nature always has a funny way of providing the most terrible catastrophes only to ironically juxtapose them with the best cures for the worst ailments. As some sit in devastation, others research and study the complexity of Mother Earth’s gifts, in hopes that the good conquers the bad eventually. At Momenta Pharmaceuticals, natural sugars are examined, duplicated, engineered, and created to provide marketable drugs to cure diseases and appease pain.Using natural resources to help reduce blemishes and headaches has started to become a trendy solution to the world’s trivial health problems. Now though, we venture further into the immune system and try to offer answers to diseases and illnesses that continue to baffle scientists and doctors alike. The first step is to identify and isolate the chemical composition of the sugars involved, in order to regenerate the specific sugar or observe which structure is key to the cure.
From the initial base of a lab in MIT to the present finding of an anti-coagulant for coronary diseases, Momenta’s founders, Ram Sasisekharan, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT and Ganesh Venkataraman, Ph.D., now the Senior Vice President, Research have been quite busy. Their first attempts in analyzing the sugar molecule came from using enzymes and chemicals to sever it at certain locations. From there, they “developed improvements to analytical methodologies, and created a numerical system to describe the many permutations of building blocks contained in complex sugars.”
The research has picked up from that starting point, and since their addition to the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, has grossed over 275 million dollars. Using state of the art and pioneering technology, the company has established a commanding hand in understanding the role of how complex sugars assist in cellular function, disease, and drug action of the human body.
A few essential facts they have picked up about sugars include how the malfunction of sugars play a crucial part in the onset of certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, or cardiovascular disease. Also, the way in which cells normally produce sugars are related to its function and communication, which can be manipulated to affect disease pathways.
To further the understanding of these sugar molecules, one of those least understood aspect of the body, the researchers have developed a method utilizing enzymes, analytics, and data integration. After they break down the sugars into units, following suit of the original method, they use computer programs to analyze the sequences more thoroughly. YES, they use COMPUTER PROGRAMS to model BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS! Using “matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, MALDI MS, nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, capillary electrophoresis, or CE”, the software allows for the scientists to gather information about components, structure, and the arrangement.
Breaking down the sugars is the most important task for anyone willing to discover secrets behind its complexity. Considering the given obstacles, such as inability to reproduce large molecules or to recognize sugars within large mixtures, deciphering sequences can prove its challenges in many ways. As 255 million combinations persist, the discoveries are absolutely endless as well! Focusing on this microscopic aspect of the human body, is perhaps the only way to unlock the greatest mysteries of our world- hopefully, throughout the years, the trial and error of our experiences will result in a great medicinal success!
Table: Status of Momenta Drug Innovations
