Author Identifier
Date of Award
2026
Keywords
glycosylation, glycomics, glycobiology, sugar code, glycomedicine, glyco-engineering
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Wei Wang 
0000-0002-1430-1360
Second Supervisor
Manshu Song 0000-0003-1433-7192
Third Supervisor
Xingang Li 0000-0003-0252-154X
Fourth Supervisor
Jun Wen 0000-0002-1110-824X
Abstract
The Central Dogma of molecular biology has traditionally described the flow of biological information from DNA to RNA and proteins. However, this gene-centred framework does not fully explain the complexity of cellular regulation and phenotype. Glycans, as highly diverse carbohydrate structures attached to proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, are increasingly recognised as important mediators of cellular communication, immune regulation, metabolism and disease. Despite their biological significance, glycans remain underrepresented in prevailing models of cellular information flow. This thesis investigated glycans as a fundamental layer of biological information and explored their translational applications in metabolic disease. Firstly, a comprehensive review examined the relationship between glycosylation and the Central Dogma through the concept of the Sugar Code. The findings demonstrated that glycoconjugates actively participate in cellular information processing and provide an additional dimension of biological regulation beyond nucleic acids and proteins. Secondly, a conceptual framework termed the Para-Central Dogma of Cellular Information Flow was developed, positioning glycosylation as a bidirectional and multi-layer information system that operates alongside genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic networks. This framework highlights the role of glycans as dynamic mediators of cellular adaptation and information exchange. Finally, glycan-enhanced metabolic syndrome severity scores incorporating plasma immunoglobulin G N glycosylation were developed and evaluated for the identification of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. In summary, this thesis advances current understanding of glycans as biologically meaningful information carriers that complement the canonical Central Dogma. By bridging theoretical glycobiology with translational clinical research, this work provides a foundation for a broader framework of cellular information biology and supports the application of glycomics in precision medicine.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 23rd September 2027
Recommended Citation
Cao, W. (2026). From sugar code to precision medicine: Expanding cellular information beyond the Central Dogma. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/jv2m-cw08