Recent Trends In Glycomics: From Structural Insights To FunctionalApplications

Abstract

Glycomics, the comprehensive study of glycans and their functional roles in biological systems, has emerged as a pivotal area in molecular biology, contributing to advancements in medicine, agriculture, and nutrition. This review highlights the recent technological developments that have enhanced glycan analysis, including mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and various chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques. With glycosylation affecting approximately 70% of human proteins, the structural and functional diversity of glycans plays essential roles in cell signaling, immunity, and disease pathology. The review explores glycomics applications in disease biomarker discovery, particularly in cancer diagnostics through serum N-glycan profiling, and discusses its growing impact in food science and plant biology. Plant glycomics is enabling innovations in transgenic technologies for pest resistance, while food glycomics is reshaping our understanding of diet-microbiota interactions and personalized nutrition. Integrating glycomics with other omics disciplines such as genomics and proteomics offers a systems-level insight into health and disease. This convergence is set to redefine therapeutic and diagnostic strategies across biomedical and agricultural sciences.