Glycobiology and Medicine

7th Jenner Glycobiology and Medicine Symposium Sunday5-W Wednesday 8 September 2004 John S. Axford StGeorge's, University of London, UK The potential for glycobiology to improve the practice of medicine has been well recognised, which is why biannual meetings concerning the association have been taking place for the last 14 years. The science of glycobiology has matured rapidly, and with it the far reaching clinical implications are becoming understood. The next decade is going to see this ?nal frontier of science conquered. The impact this understanding of glycobiology will have upon our practice of medicine is going to be exciting. The 7th Jenner Glycobiology and Medicine Symposium was designed tore?ecttheseadvances.Allthemajorclinicalareaswereinvolved,withcontributions from pivotal players in science and medicine. As with our previous meetings, junior scientists were involved as we recognise that at the end of the next decade they will be in the driving seat. This introduction serves as a taster to whet your appetite. From embryogenesis to pathogenesis, glycosylation plays a pivotal role. Complex and hybrid N-glyans and O-fucose glycans are critical in oocyte devel- ment and function. This area must surely be a fertile ground for glycosylation research.