Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

A thorough introduction is provided to the variety and complexity of the roles that glycoconjugates play in the cells of the nervous system. Basic information as well as the latest developments in neural glycobiology are discussed. Topics covered range from the structure and metabolism of the saccharide chains and current approaches used in their study, to changes glycoconjugates undergo during development and aging of the nervous system and the roles they have in neurological disease. The breadth and depth of topics covered make it an essential reference for those new to the field as well more seasoned investigators.

Glycoconjugates Composition: Structure, and Function provides an excellent overview of the composition, biosynthesis, function and structure of the carbohydrate chains of glycoconjugates from higher organisms. It is recommended as a core reference text, providing excellent coverage of the glycoconjugate field.

A reader friendly overview of the structure and functional relevance of natural glycosylation and its cognate proteins (lectins), this book is also one of the few books to cover their role in health and disease. Edited by one of the pioneering experts in the field and written by a team of renowned researchers this resource is a perfect introduction for all students in life and medical sciences, biochemistry, chemistry and pharmacy. Website: WWW.WILEY-VCH.DE/HOME/THESUGARCODE

The so-called postgenomic research era has now been launched, and the field of gly cobiology and glycotechnology has become one of the most important areas in life science because glycosylation is the most common post-translational modification reaction of proteins in vivo. On the basis of Swiss-Prot data, over 50% proteins are known to undergo glycosylation, but in fact the actual functions of most of the sugar chains in the glycoconjugates remain unknown. The complex carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans represent the secondary gene products formed through the reactions of glycosyl transferases. The regulation of the biosynthesis of sugar chains is under the control of the expression of glycosyltransferases, their substrate specificity, and their local ization in specific tissue sites. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that these enzymes play pivotal roles in a variety of important cellular differentiation and developmental events, as well as in disease processes. Over 300 glycosyltransferases appear to exist in mammalian tissues. If the genes that have been purified and cloned from various species such as humans, cattle, pigs, rats and mice are counted as one, approximately 110 glycogenes that encode glycosyltransferases and related genes have been cloned at present, and this number continues to grow each day. However, most of the functions of the glycosyltransferase genes and related genes are unknown. This fact has stimulated numerous new and interesting approaches in molecular biologi cal investigations.

The growing importance of glycobiology and carbohydrate chemistry in modern biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry makes accurate carbohydrate analysis indispensable. This book provides the principles and protocols of various fundamental carbohydrate analysis methods. Choice of method is entirely dependent upon the type of material being investigated (biological samples, food products, etc.), and the level of structural detail required, i.e. sugar content, compositional analysis, linkages between the sugar components, or the total chemical structure of a given molecule. Full structural characterization of carbohydrate chains requires significant time, resources, and skill in several methods of analysis; no single technique can address all glycan analysis needs. This book summarizes several existing analytical techniques (both chemical and physical) in an introductory volume designed for the non-expert researcher or novice scientist. While background in carbohydrate chemistry is assumed, all information necessary to understanding the described techniques is addressed in the text.

Provides timely, comprehensive coverage of in vivo chemical reactions within live animals This handbook summarizes the interdisciplinary expertise of both chemists and biologists performing in vivo chemical reactions within live animals. By comparing and contrasting currently available chemical and biological techniques, it serves not just as a collection of the pioneering work done in animal-based studies, but also as a technical guide to help readers decide which tools are suitable and best for their experimental needs. The Handbook of In Vivo Chemistry in Mice: From Lab to Living System introduces readers to general information about live animal experiments and detection methods commonly used for these animal models. It focuses on chemistry-based techniques to develop selective in vivo targeting methodologies, as well as strategies for in vivo chemistry and drug release. Topics include: currently available mouse models; biocompatible fluorophores; radionuclides for radiodiagnosis/radiotherapy; live animal imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); ultrasound imaging; hybrid imaging; biocompatible chemical reactions; ligand-directed nucleophilic substitution chemistry; biorthogonal prodrug release strategies; and various selective targeting strategies for live animals. -Completely covers current techniques of in vivo chemistry performed in live animals -Describes general information about commonly used live animal experiments and detection methods -Focuses on chemistry-based techniques to develop selective in vivo targeting methodologies, as well as strategies for in vivo chemistry and drug release -Places emphasis on material properties required for the development of appropriate compounds to be used for imaging and therapeutic purposes in preclinical applications Handbook of In Vivo Chemistry in Mice: From Lab to Living System will be of great interest to pharmaceutical chemists, life scientists, and organic chemists. It will also appeal to those working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

This detailed volume explores methods of examining gangliosides, membrane amphiphilic lipids that are deeply involved in the modulation of the overall properties of cellular membranes, as well as of the functions of membrane-associated proteins. The contents take into account the vital availability of new enzymatic approaches, the knowledge of an incredibly extensive number of glyco-enzymes, and the improvement of multi-genetic analyses. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Gangliosides: Methods and Protocols serves as a valuable guidebook for entering in the vast research world of gangliosides.

Part II of this excellent work covers proteoglycans and mucins and deals with many more examples of glycoprotein function. It also covers glycoproteins from four more species (slime mold, snails, fish, batracians). The content of the volume is very comprehensive in that most contributors are focussed on discussing, in depth, the wealth of most recent advances in their field, referring to previous reviews of older work for background information. This method effectively produces a very wide subject coverage in a smaller number of chapters/volumes. The volume is an important information source for all glycobiologist researchers (senior investigators, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students), and as a good, comprehensive, reference text for scientists working in the life sciences.

The aim of the book is to provide a succinct overview of the current status of glycoscience from both basic biological and medical points of view and to propose future directions, in order to facilitate further integrations of glycoscience with other fields in biological and medical studies. Glycans (carbohydrate oligomers) are the so-called “building blocks” of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins and lipids and play major roles in many biological phenomena as well as in various pathophysiological processes. However, this area of glycoscience has been neglected from the research community because glycan structures are very complex and functionally diverse and as compared to proteins and nucleic acids simple tools for the amplification, sequencing and auto-synthesis of glycans are not available. Many scientists in other fields of research have now realized that glycosylation, i.e. the addition of glycans to a protein backbone, is the most abundant post translational modification reactions and is an important field of research and sometimes they require a glycobiology and/or glycochemistry approach to be used. It is still difficult, however, for non-expert researchers to use these techniques. This book will provide numerous but simple overviews of current topics and protocols for the experiments. The book is aimed at university students and above, including non-experts in the field of glycoscience.