Glycomics

Glycomics is the study of the structure, biosynthesis, biology, and functions of carbohydrates, otherwise known as glycans or saccharides. It is a branch of glycobiology, a field of interdisciplinary research combining techniques in biochemistry, genetics, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology. Glycomics contributes to the understanding of cellular processes such as recognition, adhesion, inflammatory response, and apoptosis. It has wide-ranging applications from basic biological research to clinical diagnostics and drugs targeting carbohydrate-binding proteins, such as those associated with cancer, inflammation, and infectious disease.