Conferences and symposiums Launch Event of the University of Tokyo - Karolinska Institutet LINK Programme

Welcome to the Stockholm Launch Event and Opening Ceremony of the UTokyo–KI LINK Programme on August 25, 2025 in Biomedicum's auditorium Eva & Georg Klein at 1:30 pm.
The UTokyo–KI LINK Programme is a newly established strategic partnership between the University of Tokyo and Karolinska Institutet. The programme aims to advance cutting-edge research collaboration, foster sustainable innovation, and strengthen international engagement in the life sciences. The LINK programme was initiated by professors Katsuhiko Shirahige at UTokyo and Camilla Björkegren at Karolinska Institutet.
This Stockholm based launch event, co-hosted by the University of Tokyo, Karolinska Institutet and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), is designed to introduce the LINK programme to key stakeholders across academic, governmental, and industrial sectors in Sweden. The programme includes presentations from the hosting organisations and from the biotech sector. The programme finishes with a poster/networking session with refreshments at Biomedicum.
Program
Registration opens
The Opening Ceremony begins
Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi
Opening Address 1
UTokyo President Teruo Fujii
Opening Address 2
Prof. Camilla Björkegren
Opening Address 3
Dr. Johan Weigelt, KI innovation CEO
Opening Address 4
Session Begins
Prof. Katsuhiko Shirahige (UT)
"Exploring skin microbiome with myskin tape"
Prof. Björn Högberg (KI)
"Molecular Engineering with DNA”
OLINK Dr. Ida Grundberg (KI)
"Empowering Clinical Decision-making Through Protein Signatures with Olink Focus"
Prof. Johan Björkegren (KI)
"Beat-IT" a New Olink Plasma Protein Signature that Identifies People at Risk of Developing Myocardial Infarction or Stroke"
Dr. Laura Baranello (KI)
"Mechanism and Targeting of Topoisomerase Regulatory Interactions to Halt Cancer Progression”
Prof. Hirohide Saito (UT)
"mRNA Switch Technologies for FutureTherapy"
Dr. Akihiro Funamizu (UT)
"Mouse Digital Twin for Predicting Neural Circuits of Decision Making"
Prof. Yukihide Tomari (UT)
"Molecular Mechanisms of RNA Silencing: From Basic Biology to Therapeutic Applications"
Prof. Yuki Okada (UT)
"Image-Based AI for Rapid and Objective Sperm Quality Assessment"
Mr. Hideo Yura/JETRO
Summary Comments
KI President Annika Östman Wernerson
Closing Remarks
