Glycomics is the detailed study of glycomes including genetic, physiologic, pathologic, and other aspects. Glycomics "is the systematic study of all glycan structures of a given cell type or organism" and is a subset of glycobiology. Glycomics is particularly important in microbiology, because the glycans play diverse role in bacterial physiology. The following are someof the importance:
1. Glycoproteins and Glycolipids found on cell surface play a vital role in bacterial and viral recognition.
2. They are involved in cell signaling pathways and modulate cell function.
3. They are important in innate immunity.
4. They determine cancer development.
5. They orchestrate the cellular fate, inhibit proliferation, regulate circulation and invasion.
6. They affect the stability and folding of proteins.
7. They affect the pathway and fate of glycoproteins.