2025 The ninth Asian Microbiome Conference
2025 The ninth Asian Microbiome Conference
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Asia Microbiome Conference Reached a New Milestone: From Innovative Forum to Microbiome Carnival
Since its inception in 2016, the Asia Microbiome Conference had become Taiwan’s most influential microbiome conference. The 9th Forum was held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Humanities and Social Sciences Building of Academia Sinica, attracting over 400 experts from academia, industry, government agencies, and clinical fields.
This year’s forum focused on four key themes: Human Microbiome, Nutrition and Probiotics, Environmental Microbiome, Marine Microbiome, as well as Venture Capital Perspectives and Innovation Competitions. The forum aimed to explore the latest trends in microbiome research, inspire cross-disciplinary collaboration, and inject new vitality the field.
The forum featured distinguished international scholars and industry experts, including Dr. Momo Vuyisich from Viome Life Sciences, who delivered the keynote speech. Viome Life Sciences, an innovative company focused on precision health, leverages microbiome data to provide personalized health solutions. The company was valued at approximately NT$10 billion. Their research centered on the application of microbiome data in nutrition, diagnostics, and therapeutics, including a personalized nutrition recommendation system and innovative breakthroughs in early cancer detection. Dr. Vuyisich’s keynote inspired attendees to explore the immense potential of microbiomes in delaying aging and improving health.
Another highlight of this year’s forum was the inaugural "Show Your ‘Micro’ Creativity - Microbiome Application Innovation Competition". This competition aimed to stimulate innovative thinking and entrepreneurial enthusiasm among university students nationwide, blending creativity with science. Participants presented the potential of microbiome application products, from written plans to on-site presentations. Winners were decided by professional judges and audience votes, with total prizes amounting to NT$100,000, and the champion team receiving the highest honor.
Committed to advancing microbiome research and applications, the forum brought together experts and scholars from various fields to envision the future blueprint of the microbiome domain. We sincerely thank everyone who joined us in exploring the forefront developments of microbiome research.
10th Forum Upgraded to the 2026 Microbiome Carnival: Scaling Up Internationally
During the 9th Forum, the organizers officially announced the 2026 Microbiome Carnival, scheduled for January 17–18, 2026, at the Nangang Exhibition Center. A professional organizing committee has been established, chaired by Dr. Ming-Shiang Wu, Superintendent of National Taiwan University Hospital, with members including professionals from Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, National Chung Hsing University, Taipei Medical University, and the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The carnival will unite leaders from academia, industry, and healthcare to offer professional guidance and ensure the event reaches new heights in scale and internationalization, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan’s microbiome field.
Roger Liu, CEO of the Asia Microbiome Conference, stated, "The 2026 Microbiome Carnival will be Taiwan’s first event combining academia, industry, and the public, focusing on cutting-edge global research and industrial applications in microbiomes. We anticipate 1,500 attendees and will invite past forum speakers and top international experts in microbiome research to explore the limitless possibilities of the microbiome world."
The carnival will feature two leading figures in microbiome research: Prof. Rob Knight from the University of California, San Diego, and Prof. Peer Bork from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Prof. Rob Knight, a pioneer in the microbiome field, led the globally renowned American Gut Project and authored the influential book Follow Your Gut, shaping research on microbiomes in health and disease. Prof. Peer Bork, an authority in bioinformatics, specializes in systems biology and microbial genomics, contributing significantly to understanding the complexities of microbial ecosystems through numerous publications in top-tier journals like Nature and Science.
In addition to academic speeches and innovative competitions, the carnival will feature creative product proposal contests and engaging activities, promoting scientific knowledge and providing young scientists with opportunities to showcase their ideas. By integrating exhibitions and interdisciplinary resources, the event aims to foster industry-academia collaboration, stimulate innovation, and build a more vibrant ecosystem in the microbiome field, ultimately popularizing microbiome knowledge.
"As a major milestone in the Asian microbiome field, the 2026 Microbiome Carnival signifies the forum’s evolution from a professional academic event to one that combines professionalism and public engagement," said CEO Roger Liu. "Through this event, we hope to deepen international collaboration, attract outstanding talent to the microbiome field, and secure Taiwan’s place in the global microbiome industry."
We warmly invite you to join this feast of science and creativity as we usher in a new chapter for the microbiome industry together!