James C. Paulson

Torrey Pines Institute For Molecular Studies

Papers

Total Citations

1,099

H-Index

About

James C. Paulson is a pioneering figure in glycobiology, whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how carbohydrates mediate cellular recognition and signaling. His primary research areas include the development of glycan microarray technologies and the study of glycan-binding proteins, particularly siglecs and influenza virus hemagglutinins. Paulson’s most transformative contribution is the invention of the printed covalent glycan array, described in his landmark 2004 paper (over 1,100 citations). This platform, which couples amine-functionalized glycans to glass slides, allows for the high-throughput profiling of lectin and antibody specificities, enabling researchers to rapidly map the interactions that govern immune responses, pathogen entry, and cell-cell communication. Beyond this technical breakthrough, Paulson has elucidated the roles of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (siglecs) in modulating immune cell function, opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention in autoimmune diseases and cancer. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including election to the National Academy of Sciences, and his glycan array remains an indispensable tool in laboratories worldwide, driving discoveries at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine.