Synthetic lectins.

Improving on Mother Nature? The carbohydrate recognition demonstrated by supramolecular systems in water can now compete with that of natural systems, both in terms of affinity and selectivity. A synthetic carbohydrate receptor displays similar affinity for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine derivatives as the lectin wheat germ agglutinin and even greater selectivity (see picture: gray C, white H, blue N, red O).