Major aims:

• Elucidation of the mechanism of action of heparanase
• Optimization of established heparanase inhibitors
• Design and synthesis of novel heparanase inhibitors, including glycomimetics

Detailed aims:

• Mapping binding sites of heparanase and identification of minimal heparanase binding sequences of heparan sulfate.
  
• Determination of structural requirements for recognition and inhibition of heparanase in sulfated polysaccharides of microbial, vegetal, and algal origin.
  
• Generation of sulfated polysaccharides highly active as heparanase-inhibitors, by regioselective sulfation/desulfation of selected polysaccharides, and of corresponding oligosaccharides of appropriate structure and size.
  
• Synthesis of oligosaccharides incorporating the minimal sequence binding to heparanase, as well of oligosaccharides and their mimetics recognized by heparanase but containing heparanase-resistant glycosidic  bonds.
  
• Generation of novel potential anticancer drugs.