Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing a vaginal infection of Gardnerella vaginalis in a subject involve administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition. The composition can include one or more of galactose, D-fucose, or mucin 5B. The composition can include one or more of galactose, N-acetyl D-galactosamine, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, D-fucose, or mucin 5B bonded to a surface, such as a polymer surface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, in various embodiments, methods of treating fungal infections in subjects in need thereof, methods of attenuating virulence of fungi (e.g., in subjects in need thereof), and methods of inhibiting formation of fungal biofilms on surfaces (e.g., living or inert surfaces) with mucin glycans, tautomer, stereoisomer and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The disclosure further provides, in various embodiments, mucin glycan compositions, such as synthetic mucin glycans and defined mucin glycan compositions.

Abstract: Provided are glycosylated polymers that derive from carboxymethyl cellulose and may function as synthetic mucins. The carboxymethyl cellulose backbone of the polymers provide structures amenable to glycosylation by amidation of the carboxyl groups with glycosylamine moieties. The polymers can inhibit microbial virulence and may be useful in a variety of applications, such as treating microbial infections, preventing biofilm formation, and improving gastrointestinal health. Thus, provided are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical, prebiotic, nutraceutical, food product) comprising the polymers, lubricants comprising the polymers, coatings comprising the polymers, methods of inhibiting microbial virulence, methods of inhibiting and/or preventing biofilm formation, methods of treating and/or preventing infection (e.g., bacterial, protozoan, or fungal infection). Also provided are methods of preparing the polymers described herein.

Abstract: Provided are glycosylated polymers that derive from carboxymethyl cellulose and may function as synthetic mucins. The carboxymethyl cellulose backbone of the polymers provide structures amenable to glycosylation by amidation of the carboxyl groups with glycosylamine moieties. The polymers can inhibit microbial virulence and may be useful in a variety of applications, such as treating microbial infections, preventing biofilm formation, and improving gastrointestinal health. Thus, provided are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical, prebiotic, nutraceutical, food product) comprising the polymers, lubricants comprising the polymers, coatings comprising the polymers, methods of inhibiting microbial virulence, methods of inhibiting and/or preventing biofilm formation, methods of treating and/or preventing infection (e.g., bacterial, protozoan, or fungal infection). Also provided are methods of preparing the polymers described herein.

Abstract: A method of altering intercellular interactions between a combination of microorganisms includes contacting a combination of different species of microorganisms with at least one mucin. Isolated compositions include a combination of microorganisms and at least one mucin. One microorganism of the combination inhibits cell growth or promotes cell death of at least one other microorganism of a different species in the combination. The combination of microorganisms with the mucin results an increase in cell growth or a reduction in cell death, respectively, of the at least one other microorganism.

Abstract: A method of altering intercellular interactions between a combination of microorganisms includes contacting a combination of different species of microorganisms with at least one mucin. Isolated compositions include a combination of microorganisms and at least one mucin. One microorganism of the combination inhibits cell growth or promotes cell death of at least one other microorganism of a different species in the combination. The combination of microorganisms with the mucin results an increase in cell growth or a reduction in cell death, respectively, of the at least one other microorganism.

Abstract: A method of altering intercellular interactions between a combination of microorganisms includes contacting a combination of different species of microorganisms with at least one mucin. Isolated compositions include a combination of microorganisms and at least one mucin. One microorganism of the combination inhibits cell growth or promotes cell death of at least one other microorganism of a different species in the combination. The combination of microorganisms with the mucin results an increase in cell growth or a reduction in cell death, respectively, of the at least one other microorganism.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, conjugates of a hydratable polymer (such as PEG, polyethylene glycol) and a lectin (such as wheat germ agglutinin, WGA), compositions comprising these conjugates, as well as methods and targeted uses of these conjugates and compositions for, e.g., lubricating, maintaining hydration of, rehydrating, and/or inhibiting microorganism colonization of a biological surface in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of altering intercellular interactions between a combination of microorganisms includes contacting a combination of different species of microorganisms with at least one mucin. Isolated compositions include a combination of microorganisms and at least one mucin. One microorganism of the combination inhibits cell growth or promotes cell death of at least one other microorganism of a different species in the combination. The combination of microorganisms with the mucin results an increase in cell growth or a reduction in cell death, respectively, of the at least one other microorganism.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, methods of inhibiting virulence of one or more microorganisms, and/or inhibiting one or more microorganisms from attaching to a surface, forming suspended aggregates or a combination thereof, by contacting the one or more microorganisms, the surface, or a combination thereof with a mucin, such as e.g., a purified, native, non-human mucin.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, conjugates of a hydratable polymer (such as PEG, polyethylene glycol) and a lectin (such as wheat germ agglutinin, WGA), compositions comprising these conjugates, as well as methods and targeted uses of these conjugates and compositions for, e.g., lubricating, maintaining hydration of rehydrating, and/or inhibiting microorganism colonization of a biological surface in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, and compositions for performing the methods, that reduce the diffusion or overall mobility of a virus on a surface, such as a biological surface using a purified mucin. The methods can reduce the infectivity of a virus for a cell on the surface. In particular embodiments, the mucin can be a non-human mucin, such as a procine gastric mucin.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, multilayer films of alternating layers of a glycosylated polymer (e.g. a mucin) and a lectin, as well as methods of making and using these films. The films can be adapted for, inter alia, delivery of a biologically active agent providing a non-toxic substrate to support cell growth, replication, and/or maintenance as well as detecting a microorganism and/or reducing microorganism adherence to a surface.