Kyoto Metabolite
Biology Conference
Where the World Discusses
Metabolite Science.

Science does not advance within a single laboratory.
When researchers from diverse disciplines come together, share discoveries,
engage in meaningful dialogue,
and inspire new questions,
the future of science begins to take shape.
Kyoto Metabolite Biology Conference (KMBC) is an international conference that brings together researchers at the forefront of metabolite science.
It is more than a place to present research findings.
It is where scientists from around the world share knowledge and build the future of research together.

Conference Overview From Kyoto to the World.

Kyoto Metabolite Biology Conference (KMBC) is an international scientific conference dedicated to advancing the emerging field of metabolite science.
Researchers and professionals from universities,
research institutes,
medical institutions,
pharmaceutical companies,
and biotechnology organizations gather in Kyoto.
Together, they share knowledge,
exchange ideas,
and foster discussions that lead to new discoveries and international collaborations.

Knowledge Begins with Dialogue

Why KMBC Beyond Scientific Presentations.

Outstanding research does not end with publication.
Its true value grows when discoveries are
shared,
discussed,
and connected to future research.
KMBC transforms scientific discoveries from endpoints into starting points for future research.

Why Kyoto?

Kyoto is home to many of Japan’s leading universities and research institutions.
It is also a city that has cultivated knowledge and culture for more than a thousand years.
From Kyoto,
KMBC seeks to create new dialogue,
new collaborations,
and a continuous cycle of knowledge that advances metabolite science worldwide.

Conference Themes Discussing the Future of Metabolite Science.

KMBC explores a broad range of topics related to metabolite science, including:

  • Drug Discovery

  • Preventive Healthcare

  • Gut Microbiota

  • Metabolic Networks

  • Reference Systems

  • Translational Science

By bringing together researchers from different disciplines,
KMBC creates opportunities for new discoveries and future collaborations.
Metabolite science cannot advance through a single field alone.
Microbiology.
Medicine.
Drug discovery.
Nutrition.
Data science.
New science begins where disciplines converge.

Kyoto Metabolite Biology Conference (KMBC) 2026
Beyond the Microbiome

Molecules, Mechanisms, and the Future of Host–Microbe Biology
Beyond the Microbiome

Date and Time

Friday, October 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m. –

Location

Fortune Garden Kyoto, Japan

Program
Chairs

Wataru Ogawa

Specially Appointed Professor, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine

Hiroshi Itoh

Specially Appointed Professor, Center for Preventive Medicine, Keio University /
Professor Emeritus of Keio University

Speakers

Bill Moran

Publisher, Science Family of Journals, AAAS

Kohey Kitao

Founder, Representative Director & CEO, Noster inc.

Sarah Ross

Associate Editor, Science

Chun-Jun Guo

Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine

Eran Blacher

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Antonio Molinaro

Professor, University of Naples Federico II /
Specially Appointed Professor, The University of Osaka

Wataru Ogawa

Specially Appointed Professor, Kobe University

Yibin Zhu (Grand Prize Winner)

Research Associate Professor, Tsinghua University

Erik Bakkeren (Finalist)

Assistant Professor, University of Calgary

Taichi Suzuki (Finalist)

Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

Reiko Shinkura

Professor, The University of Tokyo

Djenet Bousbaine

Incoming Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley

Makoto Arita

Professor & Dean, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy

Session
Chairs

Reiko Shinkura (Session 1)

Professor, The University of Tokyo

Toshikazu Yoshikawa (Session 2)

Emeritus Professor, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

Djenet Bousbaine (Prize Session)

Incoming Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley

Hiroshi Itoh (Session 3)

Specially Appointed Professor /
Professor Emeritus, Keio University

Wataru Ogawa & Hiroshi Itoh
(Round Table Discussion)

Kobe University / Keio University

Participants

Marina Picciotto

President, AAAS

Naofumi Yoshida
(Round Table Discussion)

National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute

Please refer to the program for the session structure, presentation titles, and schedule.

Science does not advance through a single discovery alone.
When researchers gather,
share knowledge,
and engage in meaningful dialogue,
new discoveries emerge.
Kyoto Metabolite Biology Conference connects researchers around the world
to advance the future of metabolite science together.
The dialogue that begins here creates the science of tomorrow.