KoBioLabs announced that Prof. Ko Kwang-pyo, CEO of Seoul National University, has been appointed as the new chair of the International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC).
The IHMC is supported by the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Commission. It originated from the MetaHIT (METAgenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract) project, led by 15 research institutes from 8 countries. It is the oldest and most authoritative consortium of microbiome experts internationally.
The primary goal of the IHMC is to elucidate the role of the microbiome in human health and disease. Currently, leading global researchers in the microbiome field from the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Japan, Australia, Korea, and other countries are participating. Since 2010, Prof. Ko has been actively working as a Korean board member of the IHMC committee, striving to expand the international microbiome research network.
The IHMC council meeting is a significant event that involves prominent figures from academia, industry, research, and clinical sectors in the microbiome field. In 2022, it was successfully held in Kobe, Japan, and in 2024, it will be held in Rome, Italy. With Prof. Ko's appointment as the new chair of the IHMC, it has been confirmed that the 2026 IHMC council meeting will be held in Seoul. This is expected to significantly contribute to the global exchange and growth of domestic microbiome researchers and companies.