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