ANNOUNCEMENT
The 5th Keio University WPI-Bio2Q International Symposium
June 12, 2026
Logos
Credits: WPI-Bio2Q
Kitasato Hall
Credits: Aki Takematsu
Credits: WPI-Bio2Q
Credits: WPI-Bio2Q
The 5th Keio University WPI-Bio2Q International Symposium
“Wiring the Body: Brain–Organ–Microbiome Networks”
Greetings Registration Invited Speakers Program Access Committees Links
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The 5th Keio University WPI-Bio2Q International Symposium ◆Date: December 9 Wednesday – 10 Thursday, 2026 |
| The microbiome and multiple organs interact closely through systems such as the immune, metabolic, and nervous systems, thereby maintaining biological homeostasis. Disruption of these interactions is thought to contribute to a wide range of diseases. In recent years, for example, changes in the gut microbiome have been suggested to be associated with various neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying these associations remain largely unclear.
The 5th Bio2Q International Symposium will be held under the theme “Wiring the Body: Brain–Organ–Microbiome Networks.” This year, we will focus on the nervous system as a key entry point for understanding the mechanisms linking the microbiome and multiple organs. We are pleased to welcome leading researchers from Japan and abroad who are at the forefront of this rapidly developing field. Together, we will discuss from multiple perspectives how the brain, peripheral organs, immune system, and gut microbiome communicate with one another and influence health and disease. Understanding microbiome and multi-organ networks requires close collaboration across many disciplines, including life science, medicine, information science, AI, and quantum computing. We hope this symposium will provide an opportunity for lively scientific exchange and foster new interdisciplinary collaborations.
Organizing Committee
About Bio2Q |
| Registration is scheduled to open in late June. |
Invited Speakers (In alphabetical order, titles omitted)
| Invited Speakers (Overseas) Ivan de Araujo (Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics) Guy Boeckxstaens (KU Leuven, UZ Leuven) Diego V. Bohórquez (Duke University School of Medicine) Gloria B. Choi (MIT, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory) Brittany Needham (Indiana School of Medicine) Christoph Thaiss (Arc Institute, Stanford University) Invited Speakers (Domestic) Takako Ichiki (Niigata University) Nahoko Kuga-Sasaki (Tohoku University) YoshikoTakahashi (Kyoto University) Akiyuki Taruno (Kyoto University) Lianshi Chen (Keio University Graduate School of Medicine / Bio2Q) Takanori Kanai (Keio University School of Medicine / WPI-Bio2Q) Keiko Matsuda (Keio University /WPI- Bio2Q) Michisuke Yuzaki (Keio University /WPI- Bio2Q) |
| Program (tentative) Click here to download the program (Coming Soon)Wednesday, December 9 9:00 – 9:15 Opening Remarks Professor RyosukeTakahashi / Professor Kenya Honda / Professor Michisuke Yuzaki 9:15 – 11:55 Session 1: Microbiome → Brain 9:15 – 9:55 Dr. Brittany D. Needham Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA 9:55 – 10:35 Dr. Michisuke Yuzaki Keio University / WPI-Bio2Q, Japan 10:35 – 10:55 Coffee Break & Networking 10:55 – 11:35 Dr. Christoph Thaiss Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA 11:35 – 11:55 Ms. Lianshi Chen Keio University Graduate School of Medicine / WPI-Bio2Q WPI RA(STaMP), Japan 11:55 – 13:25 Lunch Break 13:25 – 17:05 Session 2: Peripheral → Brain 13:25 – 13:45 Dr. Takako Ichiki Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Japan 13:45 – 14:25 Dr. Diego V. Bohórquez Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine, USA 14:25 – 14:45 Dr. Keiko Matsuda Keio University / WPI-Bio2Q, Japan 14:45 -15:05 Coffee Break & Networking 15:05 – 15:45 Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi Graduate School of Science Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan 15:45 – 16:25 Dr. Ivan de Araujo Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Germany 16: 25 – 17:05 Dr. Akiyuki Taruno Graduate School of Science Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan 17:30 – 19:00 Poster session & Reception 19:00 – 21:30 Symposium Dinner (By Invitation Only)
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| ◆ Location: Kitasato-Hall (2F, Kitasato Memorial Medical Library), Keio University Shinanomachi Campus 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan ▶ [Campus Map]◆ Directions to Shinanomachi Campus: ▶ [Access Information] |
| ◆Chair ・Michisuke Yuzaki ◆Member ・Sampetrean Oltea ・Kunimichi Suzuki ・Kenji Tanaka ・Keiko Matsuda ・Yukari Sato ・Junta Komamura ・Minami Hosoya ・Hongping Wei ・Miyuki Ogino |
Symposium Poster
WPI-Bio2Q is one of the flagship research hubs of Keio University’s J-PEAKS.
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