Books

Biochemical Society Symposia Volume 69
Glycogenomics: The Impact of Genomics and Informatics in Glycobiology

Available Online

Edited by K Drickamer and A Dell

Oxford, UK, and Imperial College, London, UK

Biochemical Society Symposia

Glycogenomics: the Impact of Genomics and Informatics in Glycobiology is a collection of articles written by speakers at the 69th Annual Symposium of the Biochemical Society held at the University of York in December 2001. It highlights the special challenges of connecting genomic information with the biochemical processes of glycobiology.

Sugars that decorate the surfaces of proteins and cells represent a unique form of information that is used in communication both within and between cells. The science of glycobiology examines the roles of these glycans in protein trafficking, cell-cell adhesion, organization of the extracellular matrix, signalling and other processes. Because sugars are not encoded directly in genomes, the enzymes that assemble complex oligosaccharides, and the lectins that recognize them, provide essential links between genomes and glycobiology. The availability of complete genome sequences provides an opportunity to take a global view of the field.

Focuses on what can be learned about the biological functions of glycans from the genomic analysis of lectins and biosynthetic enzymes.

Explores special tactics that are needed to develop an overview of what glycans are present in an organism

Highlights both the advantages and limitations of working with simpler model organisms

Illustrates not only what can be learned, but also provides speculation on how the field of glycobiology will develop in the future

This book will be of interest to those working in the field of glycobiology and the related disciplines of intracellular trafficking and cell adhesion as well as those involved in bioinformatics and functional genomics.

Reviews:
"All omics (a suffix implying “all of it” and “more of it” and according to Joshua Lederberg, possibly derived from the Sanskit “OM”) are technology driven and this book deals with some of the major technological developments in the field of glycomics, one of the youngest offspring: of the rapidly expanding -omics family."
Ben J. Appelmelk, The Biochemist
Full Review

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