This review summarises the literature on the synthesis and applications of fluorescently labelled carbohydrates. Due to the sensitivity of fluorescent detection, this approach provides a useful tool to study processes involving glycans. A few general categories of labelling are presented, in situ labelling of carbohydrates with fluorophores, fluorescently labelled glycolipids, fluorogenic glycans, pre-formed fluorescent glycans for intracellular applications, glycan-decorated fluorescent polymers, fluorescent glyconanoparticles, and other functional fluorescent glycans.
Keywords: Carbohydrate detection; Fluorescent labelling; Fluorescent polymer; Fluorescently labelled glycolipid; Fluorogenic glycoside; Glycan; Glyconanoparticle; Lectin.