The DeAngelis laboratory studies the biosynthesis of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides using the tools of biochemical analysis, carbohydrate chemistry and molecular biology. Several projects focus on glycosaminoglycans, a class of essential polysaccharides, which includes hyaluronan, heparin and chondroitin. DeAngelis’s research has led to commercial applications, including the design of novel hybrid polysaccharide molecules for medical or industrial applications, the formation of biocompatible coatings and surfaces for use in sensors or other implanted devices, the synthesis of defined oligosaccharides that have potential for use as anticancer agents, anticoagulants, or immune system stimulators and the synthesis of sugar-based targeting drug delivery systems. DeAngelis is a founding scientist of four life science ventures: Hyalose, Heparinex, Choncept and Caisson Biotech.