Glycans are highly complex carbohydrate molecules and, unlike proteins, they are not encoded by the genome. Instead, they are processed and incorporated at specific locations on proteins and lipids in various combinations at post-translational stages by tightly regulated, enzyme-mediated pathways. Their ability to form complexes within themselves and with other biomolecules, such as proteins, makes them a core component of cellular physiology. Examples of glycan-mediated signaling include embryonic development, cell differentiation and growth, cell-cell recognition, contact inhibition and cell signaling. Glycans therefore constitute an advanced class of information molecules and the full potential of glycan bioprofiling has yet to be realized.