Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods of the invention are directed to sequencing of carbohydrates by mass spectrometry using computational approaches. The systems and methods utilize data derived from sequential mass spectrometry, in which a carbohydrate is fragmented to form products, each of which may then be fragmented further, gradually disassembling the carbohydrate. The systems and methods according to the principles of the invention resolve the tree-like structure of the original carbohydrate by examining the different ways in which disassembly occurs and then applying a set of inference rules that are at least based on mathematical constraints imposed on such tree-like structures.

Abstract: A device and system for reversibly trapping and isolating carbohydrate moieties. The apparatus includes an aldehyde-containing trapping material, a trapping means into which the aldehyde-containing trapping material is packable and through which hydrazine-activated carbohydrate-containing samples are passable, and additional hydrazine to release hydrazine-activated carbohydrates from the trapping material. As a result, all remaining non-carbohydrate material is not bound to the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reversible carbohydrate (glycan) trap, methods and system for preparing the trap and use of the trap in preparing and trapping glycans for the study of carbohydrate structure. The device and methods assist in the structural characterization of glycans. The method traps and purifies carbohydrate structures at improved sensitivities, thereby enhancing the accuracy of a tissue or cell's complete carbohydrate composition, the glycome, (vis-à-vis proteome). Most basically, the trap device covalently binds activated glycosyl residues on a polymer specifically prepared to contain aldehydic functional groups. The trap material is formed from a carbohydrate polymer, preferably dextran, which is oxidized with periodate to introduce aldehydic groups. The oxidized dextran polymer is packable into separation colulmns or micro-tips for use as the glycan trap.