This book covers the expanding landscape of glycoscience over the past decade from the earlier books titled “The Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates 1, 2, and 3”. It aims to provide systematic and comprehensive reviews of the glycoscience field. In addition to the diverse roles of glycans in the immune system, this volume broadens its scope to encompass (i) human glycoscience across multiple systems of the human body—most notably the nervous system, influencing both physiological processes like neuronal axon generation and pathological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, (ii) microbial glycoscience, and (iii) environmental glycoscience. Moreover, significant attention is given to the current and emerging (iv) applications of glycoscience in biotechnology and chemical technology. Comprised of 36 chapters and authored by 89 internationally recognized experts in addition to one author, who worked on the proofs of his late mother, this book provides a wide-ranging and in-depth exploration of glycan biosynthesis and structure, extending to their functional significance in various human biological systems and microbial physiology. It offers detailed insights into complex biological interactions—not only cell–cell recognition and communication, but also the dynamic relationships between host and microbe, human and food or pollen, and even cross-reactivities between foods and pollens. This book highlights modern biotechnology and chemical innovation in glycan-based and glycan-binding protein (lectin)-based syntheses and applications of glycans and lectins in detection, diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of physiological and pathogenic diseases. Cutting-edge examples of glycan- and lectin-based strategies in vaccine development and biomedical research are also thoroughly presented. Enriched with numerous explanatory illustrations and extensively referenced with foundational and recent literatures, this work constitutes a valuable resource for students, early-career scientists, researchers, clinicians, and specialists engaged in the life sciences and medicine.
