February 2010 First Comprehensive Book in Emerging Field of Microbial Glycobiology Launched

NUI Galway Launches First Comprehensive Book in Emerging Field of Microbial Glycobiology The first comprehensive book to be published in the emerging field of microbial glycobiology has been launched at NUI Galway. Microbial Glycobiology – Structures, Relevance and Applications presents information on sugars (carbohydrates) influencing the biology of microorganisms, what is termed microbial glycobiology. Microbial glycobiology represents a multidisciplinary and emerging area with implications for a range of basic and applied research fields, as well as having industrial, medical and biotechnological implications. The importance of the substitution of microbial proteins by sugars (glycosylation) and the role played by glycosylated molecules in disease development, immune recognition and environmental processes has become well-established in recent years. The new book, with Professor Anthony Moran, School of Natural Sciences at NUI Galway as Editor-in-Chief, runs to over 1,000 pages, with 50 chapters by 100 contributors from Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. The volume also boasts a panel of international editors from the field, including: Professor Otto Holst, Leibniz Centre for Medicine and Biosciences, Germany; Professor Patrick Brennan, Colorado State University, USA; and Professor Mark von Itzstein, Griffith University, Australia. At the launch, Professor Moran noted that the book comes at an important time as glycobiology is having significant impact upon our understanding of microbes, their control and exploitation. He said: "Industrially, major developments in vaccine design, drug discovery and diagnostics are being made based on microbial glycobiology, and technologically the field is expanding our understanding, detection and therapy of various infectious agents". He added: "This is a very vibrant area of research and is an expanding area of technology with many potential ramifications for industrial and medical developments. The subject area exhibits extensive growth because of the biomedical, biotherapeutic, diagnostic and biotechnological applications which have fuelled research and industrial interest". Ireland has already established a strong footing in the burgeoning field of glycoscience. NUI Galway is home to the Alimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC) of which Professor Moran is a member. A collaboration of research institutions and industry partners, the AGRC was established in 2009 with a significant grant from Government through Science Foundation Ireland, and is aiding in the discovery of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and nutraceuticals. "There is strong expertise in Ireland in this area, and the publication of this new book will further advance that connection on the international research stage. With Microbial Glycobiology, our aim is to provide a useful introduction to the subject for new researchers, as well as an invaluable reference for experienced ones," observed Professor Moran. Microbial Glycobiology is published by Academic Press, for more information see http://www.elsevierdirect.com -ends-