At GRIPS Forum on 31 May, 2021, Dr. Shoko Takahashi, Representative Director, Genequest Inc. / Executive Officer, euglena Co., Ltd., gave a lecture titled “Personal Genomics and the Future it Unlocks”.

Abstract:

The completion of the analysis of the entire human genome sequence has enabled research based on genomic information, the many results of which are well documented. Advances in genome analysis technology have also spurred the emergence of services offering genome analysis to individual consumers, giving them access to their own genome information. Genequest was the first company in Japan to offer large-scale genome analysis services to individuals. In this lecture, Genequest founder Shoko Takahashi will talk about her story of starting a personal genome service venture while she was a Ph.D. student, describing challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. Drawing from her experience providing the service, she will also share insights about big data-driven innovations in life science and medicine, highlighting real-world examples and outlining the future possibilities that lie ahead when life science big data is leveraged.

Speaker: Dr. Shoko Takahashi,

　　　　　 Representative Director, Genequest Inc. / Executive Officer, euglena Co., Ltd.

Speaker’s Profile:

Shoko Takahashi is the representative director of Genequest. She graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University in 2010. In 2013, while a Ph.D. student in the Department of Applied Biological Chemistry at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, she founded Genequest, which aims to advance research into genetic analysis and promote its correct use. She completed her doctorate at the University of Tokyo in 2015. In 2018, became an executive officer of euglena Co., Ltd. The awards she has received to date include: the METI Minister’s Awards (Female Entrepreneur Award) at the Second Nippon Venture Awards held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and the Japan Venture Association Award at the Japan Bio-Venture Awards. She has also been recognized in the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy’s Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology 2015 (Nice Step Researchers); the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders 2018; the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list; and Newsweek’s 100 Most Admired Japanese in the World. She is the author of two books, “Genomic Analysis—How Does It Change Our Lives?” and “Think Like a Life Scientist.”