Lectinology 4.0: Altering modular (ga)lectin display for functional analysis and biomedical applications

•Lectins have distinct types of design of not yet known functional significance.•Chemical modifications are a means to alter quaternary structure and cross-linking.•Site-specific sequence changes generate lectins with new specificity.•Modular transplantations generate lectin variants with new design and function.•Human lectin variants have innovative potential for therapy.