Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Sialic Acids

Sialic acids are a family of acidic, nine-carbon sugars that commonly occupy the outermost positions of the carbohydrate chains attached to proteins and lipids on cell surfaces and in secreted molecules. Their exposed location and negative charge make them important participants in how cells recognize and interact w…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 1 peer-reviewed article cited Cited 10× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2377-2549 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Sialic acids are a family of acidic, nine-carbon sugars that commonly occupy the outermost positions of the carbohydrate chains attached to proteins and lipids on cell surfaces and in secreted molecules. Their exposed location and negative charge make them important participants in how cells recognize and interact with one another and with their environment. Sialic acids contribute to a wide range of biological functions, including cell-to-cell communication, the regulation of immune responses, the binding of certain pathogens, and the stability and lifespan of glycoproteins in circulation. Because they are positioned at the ends of glycan structures, they often act as recognition signals that are read by receptors, antibodies, and microbes, influencing processes from development to disease. Changes in the amount or type of sialic acid on cell surfaces are associated with conditions such as inflammation and cancer, making them subjects of interest in both basic and applied research. The study of sialic acids sits at the intersection of carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, and cell biology, encompassing their structure, biosynthesis, and roles in health and disease. As part of New Developments in Chemistry, this open-access page gathers peer-reviewed research relevant to carbohydrate and glycan chemistry, cell-surface molecules, and the biological functions of complex sugars.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 1 article above has been cited 10 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Sialic Acids, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in New Developments in Chemistry (ISSN 2377-2549).

Journal editorial board
Annarita Del Gatto · Italy Bharat Gurale · United States Palani ELUMALAI · United Kingdom

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.