Topic

Development of Microbiome Medicine and Precision Nutrition Based on Japanese Gut Microbiota Research

Summary of Talk

The gut microbiota plays a vital role in health, influencing immunity and metabolism. Recent research highlights the unique composition of the Japanese gut microbiota, shaped by a traditional diet rich in fermented foods and dietary fiber. These bacteria produce bioactive compounds that contribute to immune regulation and metabolic health. Our research explores the development of next-generation microbial medicine, probiotics, postbiotics, and precision nutrition by identifying key gut bacteria and their metabolites. This talk will highlight key findings and their applications in global health science.

About Jun Kunisawa

Prof. Jun Kunisawa is Deputy Director General of National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBN), and serves as Director of Microbial Research Center for Health and Medicine, one of centers in NIBN. He also serves as Adjunct/Visiting Professor at The University of Osaka, Kobe University, The University of Tokyo, and Waseda University. He was awarded his Ph.D. from The University of Osaka at 2001, and received postdoctoral training at University of California, Berkeley. In 2004, he was recruited by The University of Tokyo, where he spent 9 years as Assistant and Associate Professor before moving to NIBN to establish a new laboratory in 2013. In 2019, he was promoted to Director, and subsequently to Deputy Director General in 2024. His research has been focusing on the immune regulation by gut environment (e.g., diets and commensal bacteria) and its association with immune diseases and health. He is also doing translational research for the development of vaccines, medicines, and healthcare. His recent work explores how microbiota-derived molecules and dietary factors modulate host immunity and contribute to the development of precision nutrition and novel immunotherapies.

First Conjoint Meeting between ISM and RIKEN,
October 8-9, 2025 - Tokyo, Japan
www.microbiota-ism.com/tokyo/

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