glycomiques

Glycomics is the comprehensive study of glycans, the complex carbohydrates that decorate proteins and lipids in cells and organisms. The term refers to the repertoire of sugars produced in a given biological system, collectively called the glycome. Glycomes arise from various forms of glycosylation, including N-linked and O-linked glycosylation, as well as glycosaminoglycans and glycosphingolipids. Glycomics seeks to identify which glycans are present, their structural isomers, how they are distributed across tissues, and how they change in development, health, and disease.

Biological roles of glycans are diverse. They influence protein folding and stability, modulate trafficking within cells, and mediate cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Glycans play key roles in immune recognition, pathogen binding, and receptor signaling. Because of their structural diversity and heterogeneity, glycans can convey information in ways distinct from proteins and nucleic acids, contributing to phenotype in subtle but important ways.

Analytical methods in glycomics combine technologies such as mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and enzymatic or chemical release of glycans. Exoglycosidase sequencing, glycan microarrays, and lectin-based assays are used to characterize glycan structures and interactions. Data analysis relies on specialized databases and resources, including GlyTouCan, UniCarb-DB, and GlyGen, which curate glycan structures, annotations, and glycoprotein linkage information.

Applications of glycomics span biomedical research and industry. It supports biomarker discovery, cancer and infectious disease studies, vaccine design, and the quality control and engineering of therapeutic glycoproteins. The field faces challenges due to glycan structural complexity, isomerism, and dynamic, context-dependent expression, but advances in technology continue to expand its reach.