However, when compared with genomics and proteomics, the emerging
field of glycomics faces unique and intriguing challenges which derive
from the essential aspects of glycan structure–function relationships.
While genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics are template-driven
processes, the biosynthesis of glycans is a non–template-driven
process. Furthermore, deciphering the biochemistry of the interactions
between glycans and proteins in the context of a particular biological
pathway is complicated by groups of glycan structures making multiple
contacts with binding sites on proteins. These issues have made it
extremely difficult to develop databases and bioinformatics tools
for glycomics.
In spite of the complexities involved, recent technological developments
that have been motivated by the need to take an integrated approach
to understanding glycan structure–function relationships have
advanced the state-of-the-art of glycomics. Supporting this integrated
approach are international collaborative efforts including the Consortium
for Functional Glycomics (CFG; an international initiative funded
by National Institute of General Medical Sciences), Complex Carbohydrate
Research Center, EuroCarbDB, and Human Disease Glycomics/Proteome
Initiative. These collaborative efforts are developing novel resources
and state-of-the-art technologies for advancing this field. Among
the goals of these efforts are developing databases and bioinformatics
platforms to integrate and disseminate glycomics data to the scientific
community.
The formation of these research entities has resulted in rapid growth
of innovative contributions to the glycomics field. Key to the success
of these global initiatives is the development of bioinformatics databases
for storing and disseminating data sets that describe the structure
and function of glycans that are readily accessible to researchers
across the world via the Internet. This collaboration and integration
is critical to research on complex topics of glycan diversity and
glycan–protein interactions that are at the core of structure–function
relationships of glycans.
