The present disclosure relates to novel modular methods for generating a diversity of N-glycans of high mannose, hybrid and complex types. The present disclosure also relates to exemplary arrays of the synthesized N-glycans spotted onto aluminium oxide coated slides. These arrays can be used to detect and analyze binding interactions between the synthesized N-glycans and glycan binding molecules, such as HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. The present disclosure also relates to methods for identifying agents that bind to various types of molecules on the arrays and to defining the structural elements of the molecules on the arrays that bind to those agents. The arrays and methods provided herein may be used for general epitope identification, drug discovery and as analytical tools. The present disclosure also provides useful glycans and epitope determinants that are useful in detecting, diagnosing, recurrence monitoring and preventing pathological diseases such as HIV.