Category: Media Release

Global quantum leaders unite in Australia to drive a quantum transformation of the life sciences 

Posted on by Rebecca Hobden

Wollongong, NSW – 19–21 November 2025
Australia will be centre stage in the global quantum revolution this November, as leading researchers and experts from academia, industry and medicine from around the world gather for the inaugural qLIFE Conference – International Conference on Quantum Technologies and the Life Sciences. 

Quantum technologies are poised to transform the life sciences, from accelerated drug development to early detection of disease and improved agricultural productivity. 

Hosted by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC), qLIFE is the first international conference series dedicated to the life sciences applications of quantum technologies. The event will be held at Novotel Wollyangah/Wollongong bringing together participants to explore the development of quantum tools tailored for life science applications, cultivate emerging talent, deepen our understanding of biological systems, and accelerate translation into real-world impact. 

qLIFE 2025 is a flagship event of the International Year of Quantum 2025, showcasing Australia’s leadership in quantum innovation and its growing impact on health, sustainability and biotechnology. 

“Quantum technologies allow us to see living systems at unprecedented detail,” says Professor Warwick Bowen, QUBIC Director. “They promise to revolutionise our understanding and treatment of diseases such as dementia, along with many other applications. qLIFE is about building the global, cross-disciplinary community needed to drive this transformation.” 

A world-class program
The conference features an exceptional line-up of speakers, including: 

  • Professor Sir Peter Knight (Imperial College London)
  • Professor Jennifer Dionne (Stanford University) 
  • Professor Miles Padgett (University of Glasgow) 
  • Professor Fedor Jelezko (Ulm University) 
  • Leaders from IBM, Google, Novo Nordisk Foundation, PsiQuantum, SandboxAQ, and innovators such as NVision Imaging Technologies, Calico Labs, FieldLine, and Insilico Medicine. 

The program includes:  

  • Public Lectures designed to engage the broader community in quantum technologies and the life science. 
  • Future Perspective Keynotes deep diving into the future of quantum technology for the life science, emerging directions, major opportunities, and disruptive developments 
  • Invited Presentations from international experts on quantum sensing, imaging, computing and diagnostics. 

Engaging the public in quantum innovation
As part of the conference and the International Year of Quantum 2025, qLIFE will feature a free public lecture designed to engage the broader community in the transformative potential of quantum technologies. The lecture will be delivered by Professor Jennifer Dionne (Stanford University), a global leader in quantum nanophotonics and biomedical imaging, and Professor Sir Peter Knight (Imperial College London), one of the world’s foremost quantum physicists.  

Their talks, aimed at the public, will explore how quantum technologies are reshaping our understanding of life and health – from unlocking the secrets of ocean ecosystems to revolutionising diagnostics, brain imaging, and the future of medicine. The event is hosted by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology and sponsored by Quantum Australia. 

Event details
Public Lecture & Fireside Chat: Quantum Technologies for Life & Health
Tuesday 18 November 2025 | 6–8pm AEDT
UOW Science Space, Innovation Campus, Wollongong
This is a free event. Register here. 

Bringing quantum to life
Quantum sensing and computing are unlocking new frontiers in drug discovery, biomedical imaging, neuroscience and clean energy. Global investment in quantum technologies has already exceeded $55 billion, with the market projected to reach $106 billion by 2040. Life sciences are emerging as one of the most promising application areas, with quantum computing alone estimated to create $200–$500 billion in value by 2035, particularly through breakthroughs in drug discovery, diagnostics, and molecular simulation. 

qLIFE aims to accelerate these breakthroughs by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and nurturing emerging talent. 

Media contact
connect.qubic@uq.edu.au

Queensland to quash carbon emissions under the new Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance

Posted on by qb-control

The Queensland government has awarded $10M to the Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance (QDA), a consortium of leading research and industry organisations in a mission to apply quantum technologies to solve critical decarbonisation challenges.  

New technologies are needed to reach net zero, and quantum technologies promise to play a pivotal role. The Alliance aims to drive significant long-term reductions in carbon emissions across energy, agriculture, resources, and carbon capture. 

The QDA brings together The University of Queensland, QUBIC, Griffith University, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, PsiQuantum and 23 other partner organisations. 

Professor Warwick Bowen, QDA lead and Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, states: “This is an exciting time to be developing quantum technologies for decarbonisation. Achieving COP26 emissions targets requires huge technological advances to address computational challenges that exceed the capabilities of today’s supercomputers and to better locate and extract critical minerals.” 

According to McKinsey (2022), quantum computing could enable over 7 gigatons of CO2-equivalent abatement annually, reducing global greenhouse emissions by 18%.  

“Quantum computing offers transformative potential in developing innovative solutions to address the environmental challenges posed by energy-intensive industries. We are excited to support the Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance in driving Queensland’s decarbonization efforts and helping to shape a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Geoff Pryde, Senior Director of Technical Partnerships at PsiQuantum. 

The QDA is the sole recipient of the Queensland Government’s Quantum and Advanced Technologies Quantum Decarbonisation Mission Program, which is part of the state’s $83.7 million investment over five years for the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy.  

The QDA will focus on applying quantum computing and sensing technologies to several key areas: 

  • Battery Materials: Quantum computing enabled precise simulations of molecular interactions, essential for developing higher density batteries for electric vehicles and storage. 
  • Transport Optimisation: Quantum computing optimisation for large-scale logistics networks, reducing fuel use and emissions.  
  • Catalyst Design: Quantum models to better simulate chemical reactions for green hydrogen production and carbon capture, improving efficiency  
  • Underground Autonomous Mining: Quantum inertial sensors for precise navigation in GPS-denied environments, for efficient underground extraction of rare critical minerals. 
  • Deep Ore Detection: Quantum magnetometers to detect weak magnetic fields from ore bodies, improving mining efficiency and reducing environmental impact. 
  • Greenhouse Gas Monitoring: Quantum sensors to measure trace greenhouse gases with high sensitivity, allowing real-time monitoring of emissions and carbon sequestration integrity  
  • Single Molecule Sensing: Quantum sensors to provide new insights into protein dynamics and interactions, improving catalyst design for low-energy industrial processes. 

This grant underscores Queensland’s commitment to becoming a global leader in quantum technologies and their application to critical challenges such as climate change. 

Contact: Professor Warwick Bowen, +61 (0)404 618722 / QUBIC Communications, connect.qubic@uq.edu.au

Quantum to feature in 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games thanks to Queensland Government backing

Posted on by qb-control

QUBIC is thrilled to partner with organisations including the Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Brain Institute, Sports Integrity Australia, and Griffith University in leading the development of cutting-edge quantum technologies for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane. Having secured $4.7M in competitive funding through the Queensland Government’s Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy, these projects are set to revolutionise sports science and athlete care.

  1. Quantum-Enabled Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Technology providing high-performance athletes with advanced imaging capabilities, enhancing injury diagnosis and treatment.
  2. Quantum Concussion Diagnostics: Rapid and accurate on field concussion assessment for athlete safety across various sports.
  3. Quantum Exo-Garment: Wearable technology measuring muscle function, to optimise performance and prevent injuries.
  4. Quantum Assays for Anti-Doping Control: State-of-the-art method to ensure fair competition by detecting performance-enhancing substances with unprecedented accuracy
  5. Quantum Sensors for Bioelectrics: Quantum sensors for sports assessments through contactless measurement of bioelectrical fields to monitor heart function
  6. Quantum Sensors for Iron Deficiency Detection: Quantum sensors for the ultrasensitive measurement of iron, to optimise athlete health and performance

The investment stems from Queensland’s vision to become a world leader in quantum technologies. Fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and the government, these projects will demonstrate the practical applications of quantum technologies at the 2032 Games, with the potential to lead to breakthroughs beyond sports in areas such as medicine and healthcare.

Professor Warwick Bowen, Director of QUBIC states: “This funding allows us to showcase Queensland’s quantum capabilities on a global stage. Our innovations will not only benefit the 2032 Games but also contribute to long-term advancements in sports science and health.”

Dr Benjamin Carey, lead researcher on the Quantum Concussion Diagnostics project says: “Concussion is a massive concern in sports due to its link with increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Diagnosing concussion and its severity is crucial in providing informed and safe return-to-sport decisions after any incidents involving head trauma. Field-side concussion diagnostics will allow doctors to accurately and safely access any potential danger to athletes.”

The future of this technology has the potential to transform healthcare, promising personalised medicine and early-intervention of neurological disorders. “The magnetic-field sensors we design within this project will be pivotal in reducing the cost and accessibility of imaging,” says Dr Carey. “This has the potential to be made available in hospitals, imaging facilities and even doctors’ offices globally.”

QUBIC is the first national Centre anywhere in the world at the interface of quantum and biotechnology and is uniquely positioned at the forefront of these two fields. The Centre leverages the strengths and experience of a multi-disciplinary team of leading researchers, with industry and government partners to drive discovery, and advance the application of quantum technologies into the life sciences.

As QUBIC continues to bridge quantum science and biological science, these Olympic-focused projects mark a significant step towards realising the potential of quantum biotechnology in real-world applications.

Contact: Professor Warwick Bowen +61 (0) 404618722 / QUBIC Communications connect.qubic@uq.edu.au

A quantum leap for biology

Posted on by qb-control

The University of Queensland has launched a $45 million research initiative to position Australia as a global leader in quantum biotechnology, and tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC) brings together quantum technologies with life sciences, paving the way for advancements in health, energy and agriculture.

Led by Professor Warwick Bowen from UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics, QUBIC is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving 5 Australian universities, industry and government partners.

“The aim is to revolutionise the technology available to biosciences and biotechnology,” Professor Bowen said.

“By applying quantum computing and sensing to cells, molecules and even the brain, QUBIC’s research will transform our understanding of biology, from how enzymes trigger reactions to how viruses invade cells and how our brains function.”

QUBIC Deputy Director, Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, said the centre has the potential for real impact.

“We are leading global quantum biotechnology innovation and creating the quantum workforce of the future – a pipeline of qualified people to take advantage of this emerging field in biotechnology,” Professor Rubinsztein-Dunlop said.

By 2045, this field is expected to generate 50,000 jobs and contribute $9 billion to Australia’s economy.

QUIBIC Director of Technology, Distinguished Professor Dayong Jin said the research will bridge quantum and the biological sciences.

“By allowing us to observe biochemical pathways and detect early signs of disease, quantum biotechnology will transform our understanding of subcellular compartments,” Professor Jin said.

“This innovation will significantly boost Australia’s capabilities in biotechnology, diagnostics and manufacturing, making us more competitive on the global stage.”

Professor Bowen said QUBIC’s research was well underway with a team of leading university researchers, industry and government partners and experts including CSIRO.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this diverse, multidisciplinary team, pioneering the field of quantum biotechnology and delivering real-world outcomes.”

Media: QUBIC Communications, connect.qubic@uq.edu.au +61 404 618 722

Image: L-R Adjunct Professor Christine Williams, Dr Alan Finkel AC FAA FTSE, The Honourable Gabrielle Upton, Dr Richard Johnson, Professor Warwick Bowen, Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Professor Deborah Terry AO, Ms Rachael Birks