Decoding glycans in brain aging and disease
Our lab seeks to understand how glycans regulate brain health and function.
Transmission electron micrograph of the endothelial glycocalyx layer on the lumen of a mouse brain capillary.
Every cell in the human body is coated by a layer of glycans, or polysaccharides, termed the glycocalyx. We aim to understand how glycans regulate brain biology, what information they encode, and how they can be manipulated to improve brain health. We combine neurobiology, glycobiology, chemical tools, and animal models to uncover new fundamental biology of brain function and disease. These discoveries drive new approaches and therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative disease intervention.
Uncovering New Roles of Glycans in the Brain
Research
Targeting Glycans to Improve Brain Health
Deciphering Glycan Language
Featured News
March 2026 - Brain GlycoShuttle manuscript is now on bioRxiv.
March 2026 - Congratulations to Hanah for winning a Harvard PRISE Fellowship to support her research!
January 2026 - Sophia presents a talk at the 8th Nordic Brain Barriers Meeting at the University of Copenhagen.
January 2026 - Welcome Anji to the lab!
December 2025 - Welcome Onovu to the lab!
September-October 2025 - Welcome Hanah, Ikshu, and Tamara to the lab! Let the science begin :)
September 2025 - The Shi Lab opens at the Rowland Institute at Harvard University.
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Knowable Magazine: Sweet! The cell’s sugary coating comes into view
Check out the feature here
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Shi Lab was featured on the Transmitter
Read the feature here
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Brain Medicine: Decoding the role of sugar molecules in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases
Read Sophia’s interview here
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Alzforum: Do Specialized Glycoproteins Prop Up Blood-Brain Barrier?
Read article on our research at Alzforum
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Nature News: ‘Slime’ keeps the brain safe ― and could guard against ageing
Read article on our research at Nature News
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C&EN: How a carbohydrate-rich mesh protects our brain
Read article on our research at C&EN
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Stanford Report: Changes in brain’s ‘sugar shield’ could be key to understanding effects of aging
Read article on our research at Stanford Report
