## 2 Snapshot of Bioinformatic Resources for Glycoslation
An enhanced version of this model is currently in use. Recent developments in MS and ionization techniques have enabled the effective structural analysis of glycans [78; 79]. The development of glyco-bioinformatics databases and tools such as UniCarb KB [80], GlycoMod [81], GlycoWorkBench [82], GlycReSoft [83] and Multiglycan [84] have accelerated the speed of glycan characterization [28]. Glycosciences DB [85] is a comprehensive data collection linking glycomics and proteomics data, which consists of the databases ([[http://www.glycosciences.de/db-overview.php](http://www.glycosciences.de/db-overview.php)]([http://www.glycosciences.de/db-overview.php](http://www.glycosciences.de/db-overview.php))) such as GlycoCD-glycoproteinins/glycosphingolipids/carbohydrate recognition sites carbohydrate binding lectins/GlycoMapsDB-conformational maps of glycans and MonosaccharideDB-comprehensive resource of these monosaccharides and the tools like Sweet-II, GlyProt, PDB Carbohydrate REsidue check (pdb-care), pdb2 linucs, Carbohydrate Ramachandran Plot (CARP), LINUCS, LiGraph, SUgar MOtif search (sumo), extraction of carbohydrate information from pdb-files, glycosidic linkage torsions, glycosylation sites statistics, oligosaccharides 2D structure drawings of which used for display the glycan structures and N-and O-glycan cores motif identification. In 2008, the work group \"Frontiers in glycomics\" emphasized the need for a curated, sustainably funded glyco-structure database [62; 86]. This proposed structural database contains associated information about experimental and biosynthetic data accounting for various analytical methods used to assign glycan structures. Pioneering attempts for a comprehensive glycemic database resulted in Carbank [52] in the 1980s. Although this attempt came to a halt, its assembled data lived on in the next-generation databases including SWEET-DB [87] and GlycosuiteDB [88] (later incorporated into UniCarbKB [89] and GlyConnect [90], having the same agenda as their ancestor. Then, integrative initiatives arose with the goal of centralizing scattered data [e.g., GlycomeDB [63]], and combining it with in silico analytical tools such as GLYCOSCIENCES.de [54], KEGG GLYCAN [55; 91] and repositories provided by the Consortium for Functional Glycomics (CFG). The progress in the field was chaotic at the beginning of the century, but progressed considerably through the deployment of a new generation of centralized and integrative resources. These are GlyGen in the US, Glycomics@ExPASy [92] in Europe and GlyCosmos in Japan. GlyCosmos includes GlyTouCan [93], a registry providing glycan structures and develops complementary repositories. Each unique glycan can be correlated with MS data, HPLC retention times and NMR spectra using GlyTouCan. UniCarb-DB was launched in 2011, to capture information from glycomics MS/MS data, [94; 95]. Several versions of UniCarb-DB have been released with the primary aim focusing on improving the quality of glycomics data. UniCarb-DB is now integrated with Glycomics@ExPASy and provides the framework for accessing experimental MS data of biological origin. MS fragmentation glycan spectra are included in the NIST Glycan Mass Spectral Reference Library [96]. Compared to the progress made in glycan structure databases, slow progress has only been made towards the development of softwares for data analysis of glycemic data. GlycosidIQ automated the comparison of observed fragments with theoretical glycofragments from structural databases [97], this automation has been used in a commercial software [98]. GlycoReSoft was used for glycan detection from LC-MS data to compare different samples [99]. Other approaches were able to convert mass spectra into structures [95; 100]. More advanced tools for glycomics analysis use partial de novo sequencing [101] including GlycoDeNovo [102] and the recently published Glycoforest [103]. High throughput glycomics MS annotation GRITS Toolbox [104] and quantitation tools [105] are now available.