The Genome Project which started in 1980s achieved its goal to identify human genome sequences faster than expected. After that, proteomic researches have started utilizing genome data as their basis. The technological development of analysis made these researches possible. It is however difficult to understand the whole picture of the biological system just by analyzing proteins. A protein shows its function after various modifications, and the modification associated with sugar chains is thought to be most important and to be difficult to analyze. The focus of research is now changing from genome to proteome and further to glycome. We believe that research activity will be recognized for its potential for human use. We inform researchers worldwide who study lifescience the significance of glycoproteomics, and expand and promote industrial technologies required for the development of domestic glycoscience. As a start, we will focus on finding the biomarkers of practical use by applying the fundamental technologies we have gained so far. In the course of identifying the biomarker, we expect to find drug seeds. We hope that our research will eventually lead to the well-being of mankind.

In the lifescience field, research subjects are shifting from genes to proteins with the development of medical and pharmaceutical applications. Actually, more than a half of proteins of eukaryotes possess sugar chains, and as a form of glycoproteins, they are known to have various functions in living organisms. For example, the functions of sugar chains are deeply involved in cancer, cellular differentiation, development, infectious diseases, brain, reproduction, receptor proteins, etc. Domestic organizations including research institutes such as AIST, universities and companies retain world leading knowledge and technologies in the areas of glycogene resources, structural and functional analyses and sugar chain synthesis. However, the system which provides the knowledge and technologies efficiently for the utilization in the related researches as well as for industrial applications is not well developed and organized. Therefore, by sharing the technologies, resources and information with researchers from a variety of sections, and also by assisting human resource development through education, we think we can create an intellectual creation cycle which contributes to acceleration of industrial application, especially to the development of novel diagnoses methods and drug discovery. To this end, we have established GLIT: Glyco-innovation and Industrial Technology, which is comprised of members not only from universities and research institutes but also from companies, medical agencies, and governments.