Comparative glycobiology

Abstract

Glycans are ubiquitous, but highly diverse; however, we remain rather ignorant about glycans from non-familiar sources. No longer can we say that the proteinlinked glycans of invertebrates and protozoans are simple; indeed, we can now say that a number of “rules” are being broken. The process of deciphering the variety and unusual nature of glycans from non-mammalian sources will continue to surprise us; the foundations of comparative glycobiology, summarized here, are only beginning to be laid.