The CFG is an NIH-funded large research initiative aiming to understand the role of carbohydrate-protein interactions in cell-cell communication. Seven scientific cores provide resources to the international scientific community. The Analytical Glycotechnology Core, which is the only core to be based outside the USA, is involved in glycomic profiling of mouse and human tissues and performing carbohydrate structure analysis on carbohydrate binding protein ligands and specific mouse and human cell lines. I am also a member of the Steering Committee of the EuroCarbDB consortium which is funded by the European Commission 6th Framework Programme. This consortium aims to develop and distribute web-based carbohydrate data bases and I lead the Imperial College component which is responsible for MS activities.