Geert-Jan Boons

Abstract

Citation: For seminal contributions to glycoscience by developing novel methods for oligosaccharide assembly, preparation of important glycoconjugates, and their use in biological studies. Current position: UGA Foundation Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia; professor and chair, department of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, Utrecht University Education: B.S. and M.Sc., chemistry, Ph.D., synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, Leiden University Boons on his biggest research challenge: “Design, synthesis, and immunological evaluation of a multicomponent vaccine that could break immunotolerance to a tumor-associated glycopeptide epitope and elicit innate, cellular, and humoral immune responses. The ultimate aim of this program is to develop a therapeutic vaccine for cancer based on a type of glycosylation uniquely found on cancer cells.” What his colleagues say: “Dr. Boons’s prolific contributions to glycoscience have earned him a highly respected international reputatio...