Studies in which EMT is induced in breast cancer cells need to be performed, with coordinated monitoring of glycosylation machinery, core E-selectin ligand protein and lipid expression, E-selectin ligand activity under flow conditions, and EMT and CSC markers, in order to verify or refute mechanistic links between functional E-selectin ligand expression and transition/maintenance of CD44+/CD24- CSCs. The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is breast carcinoma.