We are living in an extraordinary time. Quantum technologies, once confined to the realm of theoretical physics, are now converging with the life sciences to unlock new ways of understanding life itself. This is not just a scientific evolution, it’s a revolution, and QUBIC is leading the charge.

QUBIC Director Professor Warwick Bowen delivered a BrisScience talk that outlines this revolution and how quantum computing, and quantum sensing and imaging are being harnessed to solve some of the most complex challenges in health, medicine, agriculture, and energy.

Quantum mechanics, born a century ago, has already transformed society giving us semiconductors, lasers, GPS, and medical imaging. But we’re now entering a new phase: Quantum 2.0, where we don’t just understand quantum systems, we engineer them. Quantum technologies are poised to deliver economic impact on an unprecedented scale potentially reaching a trillion-dollar industry within the next decade. QUBIC was established to drive this convergence applying quantum computing and quantum sensing to decode the complexity of the human body, from single molecules to entire organ systems. With quantum tools, we can see deeper, measure more precisely, and understand life in ways that were previously impossible.

This shift is enabling technologies that can:

• Detect single proteins without labels
• Image living cells and neural networks with atomic precision
• Simulate molecules too complex for any classical computer
• Diagnose brain diseases like epilepsy and concussion in real time

As Prof. Bowen explains, “Quantum computing and sensing are uniquely suited to biology. Molecules are quantum systems. Life itself is quantum. And quantum technologies are the only tools capable of capturing that complexity.”

QUBIC is the world’s first national centre dedicated to applying quantum technologies to the life sciences. It’s a multidisciplinary powerhouse bringing together physicists, biologists, chemists, neuroscientists, social scientists to tackle problems that matter to people.

From developing portable quantum brain imaging systems for concussion diagnosis, to partnering with industry on quantum-enhanced drug discovery and sustainable agriculture, QUBIC is turning quantum potential into real-world impact.

With 2025 declared the International Year of Quantum, the timing couldn’t be more well aligned. Australia is emerging as a global leader in quantum biotechnology and QUBIC is deeply embedded in this ecosystem driving innovation, collaboration, and translation.

Want to see what the future of science looks like? Watch Professor Warwick Bowen’s BrisScience talk, Bringing Quantum to Life.