Plenary speakers
Speakers that have already accepted to participate
The plenary lecture programme at EUROCARB 2019 brought together leading voices from across the diverse field of carbohydrate chemistry, with presentations spanning fundamental structural biology through to applied biomass processing. Among the standout sessions was a deep exploration of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases, or LPMOs, which have emerged as remarkable enzymes capable of boosting the efficiency of cellulose and chitin degradation. The discussion traced how these proteins evolved from simple chitin-binding modules and somewhat imprecise endoglucanases into sophisticated oxidative catalysts, offering a compelling narrative of how nature repurposes existing molecular machinery for new and powerful functions.
For researchers attending the symposium, the LPMO presentation illustrated how the boundaries between classical glycoside hydrolases and oxidative enzymes have become increasingly blurred. The speaker walked the audience through structural and mechanistic evidence showing how these enzymes use copper and molecular oxygen to introduce breaks in otherwise recalcitrant polysaccharide chains. This work carries substantial implications for industrial biomass conversion, where the ability to efficiently deconstruct plant cell walls remains a central bottleneck. The session generated lively discussion among participants, with questions ranging from substrate recognition details to the practical scalability of these enzymatic systems in real-world processing scenarios.
The broader conference programme reflected the same spirit of creativity and interdisciplinary exchange that characterised the LPMO talks. Plenary speakers were selected not only for their established reputations but for their willingness to challenge conventional thinking in glycoscience. Attendees moved between sessions covering glycobiology, synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, and emerging analytical techniques, with the schedule carefully balanced to encourage cross-pollination of ideas. The organisers' emphasis on a diverse field meant that chemists, biologists, and engineers found themselves in the same rooms, sharing perspectives that would have been unlikely to converge in more narrowly focused meetings.
Early-career researchers were particularly well served by the structure of the congress, with dedicated sessions and poster presentations offering platforms for emerging voices in carbohydrate science. The flash oral presentations gave younger scientists the opportunity to distil their work into concise, impactful summaries, while the relaxed evening events fostered the kind of informal conversations that often prove as valuable as the formal programme itself. Volunteers and staff worked throughout the late hours to keep everything running smoothly, ensuring that the technical content remained the clear focus while the social dimension of the meeting flourished alongside it.
As the symposium drew to a close, participants reflected on the remarkable breadth of topics covered across the week in Leiden. From the molecular intricacies of enzyme active sites to the ambitious scale of industrial applications, the congress demonstrated how far carbohydrate research has come and how much remains to be explored. The generous support of sponsors and the tireless efforts of the organising committee contributed to an atmosphere that was at once professional and warmly collegial. For many attendees, the friendships forged and collaborations initiated during those days would prove as enduring as the scientific insights gained.
