Glycobiology

The study of carbohydrate-containing molecules, of molecules that contain sugars, their structure and function, and the roles they play in biology. The journal Glycobiology "provides a unique forum dedicated to research into the structure and function of glycoconjugates (including glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans or free complex saccharides) or on any aspect of proteins that specifically interact with glycoconjugate (e.g. lectins, glycotransferases, glycosidases)."

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n.

the study of the chemistry, biochemistry, and other aspects of carbohydrates and carbohydrate complexes, especially glycoprotein. Elucidation of the structure and role of the sugar molecules of glycoproteins has important medical implications and has led to the development of new drugs, such as tissue-type plasminogen activator, drugs that affect the immune system, and antiviral drugs.

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gly·co·bi·ol·o·gy (gli″ko-bi-olґə-je) research examining the biological functions of glycoconjugates, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans, as well as free oligosaccharides, and the proteins that specifically interact with them, including lectins, glycosyltransferases, and glycosidases.