Carbohydrate Competence Center Spring Symposium in Groningen, NL

After a series of online seminars and conferences over the last two years, our students and PhD candidates were happy to attend an event in person again! The Carbohydrate Competence Center (CCC) Spring Symposium took place in Groningen this time and offered the opportunity to share up to date research and to network. Among the 100 attendees were seven of our Master students (Merle Diekmann, Denis Qoraj, Naike Schwenner, Vera Fleuter, Anika Jürß, Katharina Eickelpasch, and Julia Zalder) and two of our PhD candidates (Martin Bonin and Margareta Hellmann). The CCC always manages to assemble the central European carbohydrate community with talks about very diverse topics: synthesis of natural products, analysis of protein glycosylations, effects of carbohydrates on intestinal immunity and the gut microbiome as well as starch derivatization and functionality. There were several timeslots to discuss the posters of the CCC program members, to talk to the speakers in more detail about their research and to network while enjoying nice food, snacks and drinks. Each one of our students has taken home some interesting insights, contacts and impressions! Apart from the fruitful symposium, they also enjoyed the group trip together after such a long time and are looking forward to the next event.