Introduction to GlycoscienceThis module introduces glycoscience and the structural mechanisms of glycosylation, focusing on how carbohydrates covalently bond with proteins and lipids. Drawing from the authoritative text Essentials of Glycobiology, learners will explore foundational biological processes including N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation, and the functions of lectins. Additionally, the course demonstrates how researchers utilize glycomics as a quantitative tool for identifying viral infections and discovering clinical biomarkers, effectively bridging structural biochemistry with modern translational medicine.

In this module, you will explore the essential process of preclinical development — the critical bridge between laboratory discovery and human clinical trials. You will learn why animal models are used in biomedical research, how to select and generate appropriate disease models, and how different mouse strains and genetic modification techniques are applied in practice. The module also covers key toxicology studies and the regulatory steps required before a drug or medical device can advance to human testing.

This module introduces molecular imaging (MI)— a discipline that visualizes biological processes in living organisms at the cellular and molecular level. Moving beyond conventional anatomy-based imaging, we explore key modalities including PET, fluorescence, and bioluminescence imaging, and examine how each bridges laboratory discovery to clinical practice. Through real research examples spanning cancer detection, drug screening, and immunotherapy monitoring, you will see how molecular imaging is reshaping the way we diagnose and treat disease. Let's begin.