Historical Background and Overview

Excerpt

This chapter provides historical background to the field of glycobiology and an overview of this book. General terms found throughout the volume are also considered. The common monosaccharide units of glycoconjugates are mentioned and a uniform symbol nomenclature used for structural depictions throughout the book is presented. The major glycan classes to be discussed in the book are described, and an overview of the general pathways for their biosynthesis is provided. Topological issues relevant to biosynthesis and functions of glycoconjugates are also briefly considered, and the growing role of these molecules in medicine and biotechnology is briefly surveyed.