Keio University's Center for "Human Biology-Microbiome1-Quantum Research Center (Bio2Q)" has been selected to be a part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) in 2022. It is the first such center among private universities.
WPI is a project which aims to promote the formation of research centers that provide highly internationalized research environments and maintain world-class standards. By pushing the boundaries of traditional thought and mechanisms in research, the program stimulates the establishment of research hubs that attract top researchers, both domestically and internationally, as well as contributing to the creation of brand-new academic fields of study.
At Keio University, Professor Kenya Honda, a leading scientist in intestinal microbiomes and researcher at the Keio School of Medicine, has been chosen as the center's director. Bio2Q aims to deepen the scientific understanding of internal mechanisms that support healthy biological ecosystems by collecting data on the microbiome and multiorgan networks concerning human illnesses, development, and aging—facilitated by AI technologies and quantum computing to generate faster and more complex analyses of this data—in collaboration with cutting-edge research labs around the world. Furthermore, to ensure that Keio University grows as an internationally renowned research university, the experimental projects and initiatives of this center will also be used to develop administrative and systematic approaches that can be applied across the organization.
1. Microbiome: The diverse assemblage of microorganisms that exist in living bodies
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Press Release (Japanese Language)
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/mext_01136.html
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) World Premier International Research Center Initiative (Japanese Language)
https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-toplevel/03_sinsa.html
