Purified lectins are important in a clinical setting because they are used for blood typing. Some of the glycolipids and glycoproteins on an individual's red blood cells can be identified by lectins.
* A lectin from Dolichos biflorus is used to identify cells that belong to the A1 blood group.
* A lectin from Ulex europaeus is used to identify the H blood group antigen.
* A lectin from Vicia graminea is used to identify the N blood group antigen.
* A lectin from Iberis amara is used to identify the M blood group antigen.
* A lectin from coconut milk is used to identify Theros antigen.
* A lectin from Carex is used to identify R antigen.
In neuroscience, the anterograde labeling method is used to trace the path of efferent axons with PHA-L, a lectin from the kidney bean.
A lectin (BanLec) from bananas inhibits HIV-1 in vitro. Achylectins, isolated from Tachypleus tridentatus, show specific agglutinating activity against human A-type erythrocytes. Anti-B agglutinins such as anti-BCJ and anti-BLD separated from Charybdis japonica and Lymantria dispar, respectively, are of value both in routine blood grouping and research.