Signing of the Academic Exchange Agreement Between J-GlycoNet and the Canadian Glycomics Network

　　On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Edmonton Convention Center, iGCORE signed an academic exchange agreement (MOU) with GlycoNet, Canada’s glycomics research network.

About GlycoNet
　　GlycoNet is a non-profit organization supported by the Canadian Government’s Strategic Science Fund, aiming to address challenges in health, sustainable agriculture, and food systems through glycoscience. Additionally, it bridges research and industry, promoting Canadian innovations worldwide. iGCORE has maintained a more than five-year collaboration with GlycoNet under the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core-to-Core Program, making this agreement a natural extension of their existing cooperation.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes
This agreement aims to achieve the following:

・ Promoting international collaboration and strengthening networks

J-GlycoNet is advancing interdisciplinary research centered on glycoscience. The partnership with GlycoNet is expected to expand research activities and facilitate international collaborations.

・ Development and utilization of the Human Glycome Knowledge Base “TOHSA”

HGA is constructing TOHSA, a knowledge base aggregating large-scale glycan data. Cooperation with GlycoNet is anticipated to accelerate research applications of TOHSA.

Signing Ceremony Details
　　Representatives from GlycoNet (Canada) and iGCORE (Japan) declared their commitment to strengthening human and research exchanges, contributing to the growth of glycoscience through collaboration. They also confirmed the implementation of specific activities under the MOU, including:

１．Joint funding for research and other initiatives
２．Sharing scientific technologies, materials, and information from both organizations
３．Student exchange programs and training opportunities
４．Collaborative research activities and researcher exchanges

Ceremony Information
Date: Friday, May 27, 2025
Venue: Edmonton Convention Center, Salon 4 (Glyco27 Conference)

Participants (Titles omitted)
 J-GlycoNet/HGA Major Institutions（Japan）
iGCORE (Nagoya University & Gifu University)：　Kenji Kadomatsu, Chihiro Sato, Yasuhiko Kizuka, Ken Kitajima, Takayuki Omoto
GaLSIC：　 Shoko Nishihara
ExCELLS：　Koichi Kato

GlycoNet (Canada)
Elizabeth Nanak (CEO)
Warren Wakarchuk (Scientific Director)
Nils Petersen (Executive Committee)
Janice Baikey (Scientific Director; Quebec Research Fund)
Karimah Es Sabar (CEO; Partner Quark Venture Inc.)
Matthew Macauley (University of Alberta; Organizer of Glyco27 & President, International Glycoconjugate Organization)
Sachiko Sato (University of Laval)

GlycoNet CEO Elizabeth Nanak and Director Kenji Kadomatsu

Group photo at the signing ceremony

 

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The signing ceremony was held during the Glyco27 conference.

Glyco27 May 25–30, 2025 | Edmonton Convention Centre

Glyco27 (The 27th International Glycoconjugate Symposium) is a biennial conference organized by a steering committee composed of representatives from the International Glycoconjugate Organization (IGO), which includes over 15 countries. The symposium aims to promote international collaboration in glycoconjugate research through the conference, IGO Awards, and other activities.

Director Kadomatsu gave a presentation on the Human Glycome Project, and researchers affiliated with J-GlycoNet delivered talks on their latest research findings.

Director Kadomatsu presenting on the Human Glycome, quoted from GlycoNet Bluesky

[Click here for the official website of Glyco27 / the 8th Canadian Glycomics Symposium]