Abstract: Methods to rapidly produce and identify polysaccharides, and other sugar structures, having enhanced activities, have been developed. The methods include producing a molecule, e.g., a therapeutic molecule, which includes a first, non-saccharide moiety (e.g., a protein, polypeptide, peptide, amino acid or lipid) and a second, polysaccharide, moiety. The method includes: determining the chemical composition and structure of all or a portion of the second moiety, modifying the structure of the second moiety to provide a modified second moiety, and evaluating or screening the molecule having the modified second moiety, e.g., for a biological activity or other chemical or physical property. In some embodiments, the step of determining the chemical structure and composition of the second moiety includes a comparison of one or more properties of the second moiety with a database, e.g., a database which correlates such one or more properties with structure or function of a polysaccharide.

Abstract: The invention is methods and products related to FGF dimerization. In particular compositions of FGF dimers are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for characterizing and using polysaccharides. Low molecular weight heparin products and methods of use are described. Methods for characterizing purity and activity of polysaccharide preparations including glycosaminoglycans such as heparin are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to heparinase III and mutants thereof. Modified forms of heparinase III having reduced enzymatic activity which are useful for a variety of purposes, including sequencing of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs), removing active heparan sulfate from a solution, inhibition of angiogenesis, etc. have been discovered according to the invention. The invention in other aspects relates to methods of treating cancer and inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis using heparinase III, or products produced by enzymatic cleavage by heparinase III of HLGAGs.