Exploring Glycans A.VarkiR.CummingsJ.EskoH.FreezeG.HartJ.MarthEssentials of Glycobiology1999Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory PressCold Spring Harbor NY668 pp. $95.00

approaches have been applied to the parallel identifica-identification and classification of the essential elements. For glycobiology, this phase of determining the tion of the subunits of multiprotein complexes (e.g., structure and elucidating biosynthesis pathways of nat-merous glycobiologists are still working on the isolation et al., Nature 402, 147–154, 1999). In perhaps the most and biochemical analysis of glycans and glycoconju-extreme example, libraries of mouse mutants are now gates (glycoproteins and glycolipids), and the identifica-being made and phenotyped in a manner once restricted tion of the multitude of enzymes involved in their biosyn-to simpler organisms. Projects that once required the thesis, modification, and degradation. This is necessary dedication of an obsessive post-doc or graduate stu-and justifiable given the extraordinary diversity and het-dent are now high throughput and routine. The implica-erogeneity of these molecules and the complexity of the tion is that entirely new data formats will be generated biosynthetic process. The work continues to be de-in sufficient quantities to be labeled as databases. manding because the methodology available to analyze There are a few minor criticisms concerning organiza-complex polysaccharides is cumbersome and techni-tion of the book. The chapters vary somewhat in their cally difficult. format: some briefly describe the content of a catalog Nevertheless, as illustrated by the newly published of URLs on a particular subject, while others are more book, Essentials of Glycobiology, the field is well on its theoretical. One of the chapters contains exercises, as way into the next stage, a phase that addresses func-if written for teaching purposes; the others do not. They tions and mechanisms. As the book demonstrates, the are also presented in a rather confusing order with some study of carbohydrates is increasingly connected to cell redundancy. Another disappointment is the lack of any biology, structural biology, molecular genetics, medi-supporting internet content: at the least, a companion cine, and other disciplines. As a result of interdisciplinary web page or bookmark folder would have been more efforts, a more comprehensive picture is emerging of useful than the six pages of URLs listed in an appendix. the functions that carbohydrates play at the molecular, In fact, it is debatable whether this collection of reviews cellular, and organismal level. would have been better published on the internet rather Nature makes use of carbohydrates in rich and multi-than on paper; these are fast-moving fields and their faceted ways. Polysaccharides and glycoconjugates are description would benefit from frequent updates …