Glycan arrays have been used to characterize previously unknown biochemical interactions.  For example, photo-generated glycan arrays have been used to characterize the immunogenic properties of a tetrasaccharide found on the surface of anthrax spores. Hence, glycan array technology can be used to study the specificity of host-pathogen interactions.
Early on, glycan arrays were proven useful in determining the specificity of the Hemagglutinin (influenza) of the Influenza A virus binding to the host and distinguishing across different strains of flu (including avian from mammalian). This was shown with CFG arrays  as well as customised arrays. 
Cross-platform benchmarks led to highlight the effect of glycan presentation and spacing on binding.
Glycan arrays are possibly combined with other techniques such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) to refine the characterisation of glycan-binding. For example, this combination led to demonstrate the calcium-dependent heparin binding of Annexin A1 that is involved in several biological processes including inflammation, apoptosis and membrane trafficking.