The finding by Emil Fischer that glucose and fructose on treatment with phenylhydrazine gave the identical osazone led him to the elucidation of stereochemistry of carbohydrates. Since then, progress in the field of carbohydrates has been amazing with the unraveling their basic structure, biosynthesis, immunology, functions, and clinical uses, for pure carbohydrates and for protein-linked carbohydrates (glycoproteins and proteoglycans).
The chapters in this book present a logical sequence leading from the chemistry and biochemistry of carbohydrates, followed by their role in various pathological conditions, to carbohydrates as potential therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
This book offers a detailed panoramic review of the chemistry and biology of carbohydrates for chemists, biologists and health professionals. Each chapter is authored by contributors expert in the particular area of research.

* explains how carbohydrates are important to life
* details the chemistry, biology and medical aspects of carbohydrates
* interdisciplinary and international team of authors

The chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology of heparin and heparan sulfate have been and continue to be a major scientific undertaking - heparin and its derivative remain important drugs in clinical practice. Chemistry and Biology of Heparin and Heparan Sulfate provides readers with an insight into the chemistry, biology and clinical applications of heparin and heparan sulfate and examines their function in various physiological and pathological conditions. Providing a wealth of useful information, no other tome covers the diversity of topics in the field. Students, doctors, chemists, biochemists, and research scientists will find this book an invaluable source for updating their current knowledge of developments in this area.
* Comprehensively reviews all aspects of heparin and heparan sulfate research
* Uniquely describes the chemistry, biology and clinical application of heparins and heparan sulfates in one work
* Provides an invaluable source of knowledge of current developments for chemists, biochemists, medical doctors, researchers, students and practitioners

It was probably the French chemist Portes, who first reported in 1880 that the mucin in the vitreous body, which he named hyalomucine, behaved differently from other mucoids in cornea and cartilage. Fifty four years later Karl Meyer isolated a new polysaccharide from the vitreous, which he named hyaluronic acid. Today its official name is hyaluronan, and modern-day research on this polysaccharide continues to grow.

Expertly written by leading scientists in the field, this book provides readers with a broad, yet detailed review of the chemistry of hyaluronan, and the role it plays in human biology and pathology. Twenty-seven chapters present a sequence leading from the chemistry and biochemistry of hyaluronan, followed by its role in various pathological conditions, to modified hylauronans as potential therapeutic agents and finally to the functional, structural and biological properties of hyaluronidases. Chemistry and Biology of Hyaluronan covers the many interesting facets of this fascinating molecule, and all chapters are intended to reach the wider research community.
* Comprehensive look at the chemistry and biology of hyaluronans
* sential to Chemists, Biochemists and Medical researchers
* broad yet detailed review of this rapidly growing research area