Handbook of Plant Lectins

Lectins are used in all branches of biological research. Until now, the information on lectins has been scattered throughout the literature and has been difficult and time--consuming to obtain. This book supplies scientists with a comprehensive overview and provides information on all aspects of known lectins.

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Plant lectins are extensively used as tools and as bioactiveproteins in different areas of biomedical and biological research.The Handbook of Plant Lectins provides a comprehensive yet conciseoverview of the biochemical properties, carbohydrate-bindingspecificity, biological activities and applications of most of thecurrently known plant lectins. This handbook consists of two majorsections: an introductory guide and a quick reference dictionary.Part I acquaints the newcomer to the lectin field with theessential information on lectins and their importance tobiomedicine:
* what are lectins?
* their carbohydrate-binding specificity
* effects on nutrition and immunology
* use in histochemistry
* application as therapeutic agents
Part II lists approximately 200 lectin entries in alphabeticalorder. Each entry deals with the lectin(s) of a particular plantand provides, (where known), details of:
* isolation and characterisation;
* sugar binding specificity;
* biological activities;
* applications;
* commercial availability; and,
* a bibliography.
Useful summary tables list lectins according to their specificity,thereby allowing the user to choose the best lectin for theirapplication. A list of suppliers is also provided. Handbook ofPlant Lectins will be of interest to biologists and biomedicalresearchers studying cell biology, cancer research, nutrition,immunology, pathology and physiology.