Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the first RIKEN-ISM meeting in Tokyo, which gathered participants from numerous countries and scientific disciplines, the International Society of Microbiota and RIKEN are pleased to welcome the international microbiome community for a new edition of this scientific meeting, The Second RIKEN-ISM Conjoint Meeting, held on Septemter 24-25, 2026, in the University of Tokyo, Japan.

The originality of the RIKEN-ISM meeting lies in its ability to bring together researchers, clinicians, industry scientists, and innovators from diverse backgrounds to build a shared understanding of microbiota science. By connecting fundamental biology, clinical medicine, nutrition, biotechnology, and innovation, the meeting creates a common scientific perspective on microbial ecosystems and their role in human health.

The 2026 program will primarily focus on recent advances in microbiota research, including host–microbiota interactions, microbial metabolites, and microbiome-based therapeutic strategies. Particular attention will be given to the role of microbial metabolites as mediators of host physiology and metabolism.

An important dimension of the meeting will explore how these microbial metabolites influence cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. This emerging dialogue between microbiota and mitochondria provides new perspectives on the biological mechanisms that regulate metabolism, resilience, and healthy aging.

More broadly, this scientific exchange reflects a transition in biomedical research, where microbiota science increasingly intersects with metabolism, mitochondrial biology, and systems medicine. Understanding this integrated biological network may help identify new strategies to maintain metabolic balance and promote healthy longevity.

RIKEN and ISM aim to make this meeting scientifically rich, original, and forward looking, creating an environment where new ideas, collaborations, and perspectives can emerge at the intersection of microbiota science, metabolism, and longevity research.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo for this unique scientific exchange.

On behalf of the Meeting Organizers

Prof. Hiroshi Ohno,
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Japan
President of Tokyo RIKEN-ISM Targeting Microbiota 2026 meeting

Prof. Marvin Edeas,
Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, France
Chairman of the ISM Scientific Board