Plant lectins are extensively used as tools and as bioactive proteins in different areas of biomedical and biological research. The Handbook of Plant Lectins provides a comprehensive yet concise overview of the biochemical properties, carbohydrate-binding specificity, biological activities and applications of most of the currently known plant lectins. This handbook consists of two major sections: an introductory guide and a quick reference dictionary. Part I acquaints the newcomer to the lectin field with the essential information on lectins and their importance to biomedicine:

• 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 alphabetical order. Each entry deals with the lectin(s) of a particular plant and 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 their application. A list of suppliers is also provided. Handbook of Plant Lectins will be of interest to biologists and biomedical researchers studying cell biology, cancer research, nutrition, immunology, pathology and physiology.