The unique saccharide-binding properties of plant lectins, such as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), have made them useful for the study of glycosylated proteins. Lectins have been used in cell adhesion studies, to effect lymphocyte activation, and to explore carbohydrate-based therapeutics.

Bead- and column-based separation methods rely heavily on the speed and ease of affinity binding systems. Ligands such as streptavidin, antibodies and lectins are used both to capture specifically-tagged targets and for the isolation of cells and biomolecules that naturally express the ligand binding partner. The unique saccharide-binding properties of plant lectins, such as Concanavalin A (Con A) have made them useful for the labeling and isolation of glycan-presenting cells and glycoproteins in serum and cell lysate. Lectins have additionally been used in cell adhesion studies, to effect lymphocyte activation, and to explore carbohydrate-based therapeutics.