Table 2.

Overview of analytical methods for glycan structural characterization

Method	Structural information	Strengths	Weaknesses
MS	Composition, profiling, chemical modifications, glycosylation site	High sensitivity and accuracy, potential for automation	Isomers indistinguishable, no separation of complex mixtures, quantification difficult
MSn	Sequence, linkages, chemical modifications	Detailed structural information	Significant expertise required, low throughput
CE	Profiling, separation	High separation efficiency, can resolve isomers, high throughput and automation, complements MS analysis, amenable to online connection with MS	Requires standards and/or complementary techniques (e.g., MS, enzymes) for Unambiguous characterization, limited analyte capacity
HPLC	Profiling, separation	Multiple separation modes/stationary phases, range of analyte capacity, complements MS analysis, amenable to online connection with MS	Requires standards and/or complementary techniques (e.g., MS, enzymes) for Unambiguous characterization
NMR	Complete structure, stereochemistry	Detailed structural information	Significant expertise required, low throughput, high amount of sample material required
Lectin binding/arrays	Structural motifs (terminal residues)	Potential for high throughput, probe glycans in their physiological context	Limited by availability and specificity of characterized lectins