Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
04:35
Rapid Isolation of Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: November 14, 2025
384
Functional glycans and glycoconjugates in human milk
Gilda Georgi1, Nana Bartke, Frank Wiens
1Danone Research–Centre for Specialised Nutrition, Friedrichsdorf, Germany.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 21, 2013
Summary
Human milk
Area of Science:
- Human milk oligosaccharides
- Nutritional science
- Infant development
Background:
- Human milk contains complex carbohydrates vital for infant nutrition.
- These glycostructures exhibit human-specific variations and change during lactation.
- Understanding these variations is key to infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the variability of complex glycostructures in human milk.
- To link these glycostructure changes to the evolving needs of infants.
- To highlight the significance of human milk oligosaccharides in early life.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on human milk composition.
- Analysis of glycostructure variability in human milk.
- Correlation of glycostructure changes with infant developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Human milk glycostructures are highly variable between women and over time.
- Specific glycostructures change in response to infant requirements.
- These dynamic changes support infant growth and immunity.
Conclusions:
- The variability of human milk complex carbohydrates is adaptive.
- These nutrients play a crucial role in meeting the dynamic needs of infants.
- Further research into human milk oligosaccharides can inform infant nutrition strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Compounds Essential to Human Function
10.3K
The human body is composed of cells that are fundamentally made up of several different molecules. These molecules are essential to carry out all physiological processes in the body and are broadly classified into organic and inorganic based on their chemical structures.
Inorganic Compounds Essential to Human Functioning
Inorganic compounds essential to human functioning include water, salts, acids, and bases. These compounds are inorganic, i.e., they do not have a carbon-hydrogen bond. Water...
Inorganic Compounds Essential to Human Functioning
Inorganic compounds essential to human functioning include water, salts, acids, and bases. These compounds are inorganic, i.e., they do not have a carbon-hydrogen bond. Water...
10.3K
02:45Functional Groups
89.1K
Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...
89.1K
02:45Functional Groups
24.5K
No description available
24.5K
01:11Functionalism
2.7K
William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce were instrumental in founding functional psychology, which draws heavily from Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory suggests that individual traits, including behaviors, are adapted to their environments through natural selection. At the heart of functionalism is the concept of adaptation, meaning that a trait enhances an individual's chances of survival and reproduction.
James envisioned psychology's...
James envisioned psychology's...
2.7K
01:58Mechanical Protein Functions
5.7K
Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.
5.7K
01:56Structural Protein Function
30.0K
Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
30.0K