On Friday, February 3, the Keio University Human Biology-Microbiome-Quantum Research Center (WPI-Bio2Q) held its first symposium at Shinanomachi Campus.

This symposium was an event where Bio2Q researchers shared their work with those both inside and outside the center and discussed potential future avenues in science. The hybrid event was held online and in-person and broadcast live to the world.

Akira Ukawa, program director of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), opened the event by introducing Bio2Q’s place in WPI. This was followed by sessions with nine of the world’s top scientists from the U.S., Europe, and Asia that work with Bio2Q. The sessions included introductions of each scientist’s specialty as well as dedicated time for Q&As.

About 200 participants joined the symposium, including more than 40 from outside Keio University from the Philippines, the U.K., and the U.S. They engaged in lively discussions about how to achieve good health and longevity in society through the integration of human biology, microflora, and quantum computing, as well as about future developments of new life sciences.

Bio2Q is the first microbiome research center in Japan, and the first private university to be selected by MEXT as a WPI. It will use both quantum computing and conventional bioanalytical methods to reveal the complex interactions between the microbiome and humans at the molecular level. In the future, the center hopes to develop new medications and therapies for diseases that have proven difficult to treat.

*Masks were only removed during speeches and briefly for the purpose of taking commemorative photos.