| There seems to be a new kid on the block and his | | | | possible in learning how a disease develops. This could |
| name is glycoscience. If you look on the internet you | | | | pave the way to greater accuracy in targeting |
| will see a lot of debate about glycoscience. Is it bunk | | | | specific drugs for those diseases. |
| and hype or is it truly a new breakthrough of which | | | | Discovery of Glycoscience |
| the medical community and the public should take | | | | A British scientist, is given the distinction of |
| notice? | | | | discovering carbohydrates are markers for cells that |
| The Study of Glycoscience | | | | characterize the blood group system of ABH. This |
| Glycoscience is a study of complex carbohydrates | | | | discovery was made nearly sixty years ago. It was |
| that can be found on protein surfaces and lipids. | | | | through this work that the importance of complex |
| Glycoscience is considered a neglected branch of | | | | sugars and their relationship to cell recognition and |
| molecular biology. Systems biology, proteomics and | | | | immune reactions was recognized. |
| genomics are hot subjects of research for | | | | This work inspired others to the field of glycoscience |
| biomedicals. These sciences have attracted funding | | | | in both commercial and medical sectors, though at |
| and researchers to legitimatize them. It is thought | | | | present it is still not considered to be part of |
| that at present glycoscience holds a minor role. | | | | mainstream scientific research. |
| In the past, the study of glycoscience was of little | | | | Glycoscience Doesn't Attract Funding |
| interest in relation to understanding human biology. | | | | It is thought that because glycoscience is held in such |
| Today, more interest is being focused on sugars and | | | | low esteem in the medical research community that |
| their relationship to communication between cells and | | | | funding for research is scarce. When you consider |
| bodily organs. | | | | the amount of funding that was given to the human |
| Interest in Glycoscience is Increasing | | | | genome project for the sequencing of DNA, |
| The interest in glycoscience is growing as those in | | | | glycoscience falls far behind in monetary interest. It is |
| the academic world as well as in the industrial sector | | | | safe to say that with more funding researchers can |
| are realizing the importance glycoscience has with | | | | fully explore the possibilities of glycoscience and its |
| many of the body's biological processes. As more | | | | relationship to the development and prevention of |
| research is being done with glycoscience, the | | | | disease. |
| realization of the importance of saccharides in cell | | | | It would be a shame if glycoscience research was |
| communication and in the response of the immune | | | | not pursued more vigorously. If indeed glycoscience |
| system is dawning; glycoscience is coming out of its | | | | holds a key that will enable the average person to |
| isolation and stepping into the mainstream. | | | | live a healthier life, wouldn't people champion research |
| The Promise of the Study of Glycoscience | | | | in this field? Glycoscience should be allowed the same |
| Researchers and scientists are holding out the hope | | | | experimentation and testing as other branches of |
| that with the further study of glycoscience that the | | | | biology. Isn't glycoscience worth a deeper look if it |
| manipulation of cell to cell communication may be | | | | can help people to live a longer, healthier life? |