Glycome: The Hidden Code in Biology

This book addresses one of the most fundamental topics in biology today. Sugars are electroneutral. However, linking sugars to sugars, or attaching sugars to proteins or lipids changes the structural and functional identities of the glycoconjugate, and enables to form cellular networks of 4Gs [i.e., glycoproteins (N-linked or O-linked), glycosphingolipids, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)]. These glycans (i) support growth, proliferation and differentiation of cells and tissues; (ii) protect cells from foreign invasions including bacteria, viruses, parasites as well as from changes in the extracellular environment; (iii) act as biomarkers and participate in transmembrane signaling. The glycans are not ubiquitous but they are tissue/species specific. Seventeen chapters in the book are dedicated to walk the readers through the diversities of the Glycome.