Glycomics: Challenges and Technologies - a meeting report

While in the last few years genomic and proteomic projects advanced uninterruptedly, understanding glycans still presents several difficulties: they have a non-template driven biosynthesis, there is no system for the amplification of carbohydrates, and their characterization is still complicated. Moreover, the glycosylation patterns are complex and carbohydrate homeostasis requires considerable cellular control. Fortunately, Glycomics is advancing: the new technologies developed, the optimized experimental strategies and the Bioinformatics tools are making their move. On November 28, 2006 Euroscicon Conference “Glycomics: Challenges and Technologies” was held in London, and depicted an optimistic view of the advances in the area.

This conference covered some of the new technologies that makes Glycomics move forward: Mass spectrometry, glycan microarrays, carbohydrate chemistry. Bioinformatics approaches advances in development of tools for data handling were also described. The concept that functional glycomics (large-scale analysis of the biological functions of the glycome) requires an integrated system approach to the structure-function relationships was remarked by several scientists during the day.

The conclusions after the meeting were concise: powerful new technologies are coming into play. Predictions from genomics or transcriptomics data concerning the biosynthesis of the glycome, and glycan binding protein receptors are difficult, but the array of technologies and approaches that are now forming the glycomics field (including arrays, MS, chemical libraries, natural saccharide libraries, bioinformatics, genomic/transcriptomic data, bioassays and in vivo systems and disease processes) could be expected to provide new insights in the function of the glycome, and lead to new and exciting applications, including diagnostics and new routes to therapeutics.

The proceedings for this meeting can now be purchased. The book gives a comprehensive outline of talks of the day. To order a copy please click on this link: http://www.lulu.com/content/581260