Ubiquitous occurrence in Nature, abundant presence at strategically important places such
as the cell surface and dynamic shifts in their profile by diverse molecular switches qualifies …

Background The most demanding challenge in research on molecular aspects within the
flow of biological information is posed by the complex carbohydrates (glycan part of cellular …

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins which lack enzymatic activity on their ligand and
are distinct from antibodies and free mono-and oligosaccharide sensor/transport proteins …

The view on the significance of the presence of glycans in glycoconjugates is undergoing a
paradigmatic change. Initially mostly considered to be rather inert and passive, the concept …

The term 'code'in biological information transfer appears to be tightly and hitherto exclusively
connected with the genetic code based on nucleotides and translated into functional …

The glycan part of cellular glycoconjugates affords a versatile means to build biochemical
signals. These oligosaccharides have an exceptional talent in this respect. They surpass …

Analysis of the genome and proteome assumes the focus of attention in efforts to relate
biochemical coding with cell functionality. Among other chores in energy metabolism, the …

A high‐density coding system is essential to allow cells to communicate efficiently and
swiftly through complex surface interactions. All the structural requirements for forming a …

Carbohydrates have physiological importance far beyond their roles as source of energy
(glycolysis) and activated hydrogen for synthesis (pentosephosphate pathway) or as …

A code is defined by the nature of the symbols, which are used to generate information‐
storing combinations (eg oligo‐and polymers). Like nucleic acids and proteins, oligo‐and …