The September issue of FEBS Open Bio puts the involvement of glycosphingolipids in disease in the limelight. Glycosphingolipids were once considered to play a purely structural role in cell membranes, but it has since become apparent that they play a key role in the nervous system and are associated with several diseases. Guest editor Sandro Sonnino introduces the contents of the issue in a fascinating interview conducted by Ioannis Tsagakis, starting with eight Review articles that focus on the role of glycosphingolipids in diseases as diverse as Parkinson's disease, cystic fibrosis, infertility, and parasite infections. We are also pleased to include an original research article by Robert Ledeen and colleagues, which reports that application of GM1, one of the major gangliosides of the central nervous system, can ameliorate memory and movement disorders in mice lacking both copies of the GM3 synthase gene.

We invite you to read the full issue here; the individual articles can also be accessed from the links below.

An open chat with… Sandro Sonnino