13th – 15th August, 2026
O-GlcNAc Neurodevelopmental Disorders Conference
4,000 DKK – includes accommodation & meals
OGT/OGA Research Conference
O-GlcNAc Neurodevelopmental Disorders 2026: Models, Mechanisms, and Management
August 13th – 15th, 2026 | Knebel, Denmark
Welcome to the first-of-its-kind international conference dedicated to OGT-Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (OGT-CDG). Affecting an estimated 1 in 15,000 live births, this rare genetic condition presents with developmental delays, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and co-morbidities like autism and ADHD. Currently, our community faces significant unmet medical needs due to a lack of diagnostic biomarkers and targeted treatments.
We are bringing together the world’s leading scientists, clinicians, industry experts, and, most importantly, patients and their families. By integrating the patient perspective directly into the scientific dialogue, we aim to ensure that future research priorities remain closely aligned with the real needs of affected individuals.
The Program
The meeting will be held at the highly accessible Fuglsø Conference Center. The scientific and community program features:
Scientific Tracks: Focused sessions exploring the molecular mechanisms of O-GlcNAc signaling, human genetics, clinical phenotyping, and emerging therapeutic strategies.
Demystifying OGT-CDG for Families: A dedicated session featuring introductory talks in layman’s terms, followed by an open Q&A with clinicians and researchers.
A Roadmap to Cures: A collaborative panel discussion aimed at producing a published white paper on the future of OGT-ID biomarkers and treatments.
Elevating Early Career Scientists: Dedicated short-talk slots and travel fellowships to foster and highlight the next generation of researchers.
Inclusivity & Support
This event is designed to be accessible. To facilitate participation by those most impacted, we have allocated a budget to help subsidize attendance costs for OGT-ID families. Any surplus generated from sponsorships will be used to further support family attendance.
Please save the dates in your calendar. We look forward to welcoming you to this historic gathering!
The Organizing Committee
Prof. Daan van Aalten (Aarhus University)
Prof. Katrin Õunap (University of Tartu)
Ass. Prof. Natasha Zachara (Johns Hopkins University)
The CureOGT Foundation
Speakers
We are bringing top researchers in the field to share cutting-edge outcomes and develop a joint plan moving forward.
Daan van Aalten
Professor Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics - Cellular Health, Intervention, and Nutrition
Lance Wells
Associate Director of the CMM, Distinguished Research Professor, GRA Distinguished Investigator Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia
Natasha Zachara
Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen
Assistant professor in Biochemistry and OBGYN Medical College of Wisconsin
Michael Boyce
Associate Professor, Departments of Biochemistry and of Cell Biology Duke University, Durham, NC
Sam Myers
Global Autoimmune Institute Assistant Professor, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Lilian Kisiswa
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Olof Lagerlof
Assistant Professor and Resident Doctor in Psychiatry Umeå University and Umeå University Hospital
Katrin Ounap
Professor in Clinical Genetics, Department of Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu
Magdalena Krygier
Assistant Professor and Consultant Physician in the Department of Developmental Neurology at the Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
Benjamin Lauzier
Professor, Thorax Institute and Nantes Université
Florence Authier
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Aarhus University, Denmark
Agenda (preliminary)
Download program (PDF)
Printable version of the tentative conference program.
Thursday, August 13
Morning — Arrival and registration
12:00 — Lunch
13:00 — Welcome and introduction to the field
Daan van Aalten · Lance Wells · Andrey Skripkin (OGT-ID parent) · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
15:00 — Coffee break
15:30 — Session: Dysregulation of O-GlcNAc in pathological models
Michael Boyce · Natasha Zachara · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
17:00 — Poster session 1
18:30 — Dinner
Friday, August 14
08:00 — Breakfast
09:00 — Session: O-GlcNAc in Development and Pregnancy
Sam Myers · Stephanie Olivier-van Stichelen · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
10:30 — Coffee break
11:00 — Session: O-GlcNAc Neurobiology
Olof Lagerlof · Lilian Kisiswa · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
12:00 — Lunch
13:00 — Session: Clinical Perspectives
Katrin Õunap · Magdalena Krygier · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
15:30 — Coffee break
16:00 — Session: Novel Symptoms and Syndromes
Benjamin Lauzier · Florence Authier · Early career researcher talk (TBA)
17:30 — Poster session 2
18:30 — Dinner
20:00 — Panel discussion: A roadmap toward OGT-ID biomarkers and cures
Leading to a white paper.
Saturday, August 15
08:00 — Breakfast
09:00 — Session: Demystifying OGT-ID A session designed for parents and families, with introductory short talks explaining OGT-ID
Followed by Q&A with parents, clinicians, and researchers.
12:00 — Lunch and farewell
13:00 — Optional: Tour of the van Aalten lab in Aarhus
Open to interested parents and attendees.
Registration & Fees
4,000 DKK
(approximately €535 / $580)
Your registration includes:
- Full conference participation (all sessions, talks, panel discussions, and poster sessions)
- Two nights of accommodation at Fuglsø Conference Center (August 13 and 14)
- All meals during the conference: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Coffee breaks throughout the program
- Welcome reception and networking events
Registration closes July 31. For questions about partner registration or financial assistance for patient family attendees, please contact conference organizers.
Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest airport to Fuglsø Centret is Aarhus Airport (AAR) in Tirstrup, about 30 km from the venue (~35 minutes by car). It has direct flights from Copenhagen, London Stansted, and a handful of European hubs.
If you can’t find a convenient route to AAR, the alternatives are:
- Copenhagen Airport (CPH) — Denmark’s main international hub. From CPH, take the direct train to Aarhus Central Station (~3 hours, runs hourly), then transfer to Fuglsø. Best for transatlantic and most non-European arrivals.
- Billund Airport (BLL) — about 1.5–2 hours from Fuglsø by car. Sometimes has good European budget-airline routes.
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) — for some attendees flying into Hamburg and continuing by train/car (~5 hours by road) makes sense, particularly from southern Europe.
We recommend AAR if a reasonable route exists for your origin city.
From Aarhus Airport (AAR):
- Taxi: ~35 minutes, approximately DKK 600–800 (€80–110). The airport has a taxi rank outside arrivals.
- Shared transfer: We are coordinating shared van transfers for attendees arriving on common flights. [Indicate interest via this form / contact info]
- Rental car: Available at the airport from major providers (Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz).
From Copenhagen Airport (CPH):
- Train + taxi (recommended): Direct train from CPH Airport to Aarhus Central Station, approximately 3 hours, DKK 350–500 (€50–70) depending on type and how far in advance you book. From Aarhus, taxi to Fuglsø (~1 hour, ~DKK 1,000–1,200). Book trains at dsb.dk.
- Domestic flight + taxi: SAS operates short connecting flights CPH → AAR (~35 minutes), often bookable on the same ticket as your international flight. Then taxi from AAR as above.
From Billund Airport (BLL):
- Rental car is most practical (~1.5–2 hours direct to Fuglsø). Public transit is possible but requires multiple connections.
Denmark is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU/EEA countries, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most other Western countries do not need a visa for stays under 90 days.
If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, please apply at least 6–8 weeks before the conference. We can provide an official invitation letter to support your application — contact [organizer email] with your full name (as on passport), passport number, dates of travel, and a copy of your passport bio page.
Accommodation is at Fuglsø Centret itself — the venue is a conference center with on-site rooms and meals included in the registration fee. You don’t need to book separate lodging. Room assignments will be confirmed approximately 4 weeks before the conference.
Fuglsø Centret has accessible rooms and facilities. If you have specific mobility, sensory, or other accessibility needs, please indicate them on the registration form or contact us directly so we can ensure your needs are met.
Danish Krone (DKK), not Euros. Approximate rate: 1 EUR ≈ 7.45 DKK; 1 USD ≈ 6.85 DKK (rates fluctuate).
Denmark is overwhelmingly card-based — you can use credit and debit cards (including Visa, Mastercard, and Apple/Google Pay) almost everywhere. You will likely not need cash at any point.
The conference language is English. All sessions, materials, and signage will be in English. Danish staff at Fuglsø Centret speak English well, as do nearly all Danes you will encounter.
Conference dress is smart casual. There is no formal dress requirement for sessions. Some attendees may dress more formally for the welcome dinner or closing reception — this is optional.
Yes — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee/tea breaks are included with registration. We collected dietary requirements during registration; please contact us if your needs have changed.
Yes — poster sessions and short talks will be available. If you indicated interest during registration, you’ll receive details about submission deadlines and format. If you didn’t but would like to present, contact organizers.
Absolutely. The OGT Conference is designed to bring together researchers, clinicians, and the OGT-XLID community, including patient families. You will find sessions and conversations directly relevant to families, opportunities to connect with researchers studying the condition, and a community of others living with similar experiences.
