Welcome

Dear colleagues,
 
 It is with a great pleasure that we invite and welcome you to the 8^th Iberian Carbohydrate Meeting, jointly organized by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Química (SPQ) and Carbohydrate Groups of the Real Sociedad Española de Química (RSEQ), in Aveiro, Portugal, from September 1^st to 3^rd, 2027.
 
 The 8^th Iberian Carbohydrate Meeting aims at bridging together scientists from different areas working on carbohydrate-related research, to present recent research achievements and exchange scientific discussions. The meeting provides a unique opportunity for getting updated on new trends and networking to strengthen existing and potentiate new collaborations. It is now the time to get our carbohydrate communities together in the same place of the 1^st historical Iberian meeting, GluPor-3.
 
 The scientific program covers a broad spectrum of current research in basic and applied Glycoscience contributing to consolidate the interplay between chemistry and biology and reinforce the needed interaction between glycochemistry, glycobiology, and applied carbohydrate-research. We invite all the research community to contribute to the following topics:
 

1. Carbohydrate synthesis, structure and molecular recognition

2. Glycobiology in health and disease

3. Glycomics, glycoproteomics and novel biomarkers 

4. Carbohydrates in infection and microbial-host interactions

5. Carbohydrates in food and agriculture

6. Carbohydrates in biotechnology and other applications

7. Carbohydrate-based biomaterials 

The 3-days scientific program includes plenary lectures, invited lectures, and selected oral communications, as well as poster sessions. Additionally, flash communications are allocated.
 
 We seek the participation of young researchers, postdocs, PhD and MSc students. Therefore, we will appreciate that group leaders and PhD advisors encourage their team members to participate in the meeting and join the Carbohydrate community.
 
 Please visit regularly the website of the meeting for updates of the scientific program.
 
 The meeting will be hosted in Aveiro, the place of the 1^st Iberian Carbohydrate Meeting held in 1999, 27 years after the first meeting. The GLUPOR Young Researcher Amélia Pilar Rauter Award will be launched to recognize young researchers in the field of glycoscience, distinguishing works of merit and scientific innovation, at PhD and early post-doctoral level (≤ 5 years after PhD). 

Aveiro, nestled between the sea and its surrounding salt pans, is a charming city where picturesque canals and traditional moliceiro boats are an iconic part of its landscape and cultural heritage.
 
 Looking forward to welcoming you in Aveiro.
 
 On behalf of the Organizing Committee
 
 Elisabete Coelho, Chair (GLUPOR-SPQ)
 Antoni Planas, co-Chair (GE HiC-RSEQ)