Quantum-based technologies to study infectious diseases, cancer, dementia
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has announced the launch of two new hubs, delivered by Imperial College London (ICL), the University of Cambridge and the University of Birmingham, to transform early disease diagnosis in the UK.
The hubs are supported as part of a £106 million investment from EPSRC, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to launch five hubs to enable the UK to benefit from the potential of quantum technologies.
By utilizing quantum physics, quantum technology acquires scientific functions and capabilities that cannot be explained by classical physics.
The UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub (Q-BIOMED), led by Professor Rachel McKendry of University College London and Professor Mette Ataturé of the University of Cambridge, has been awarded £10.8 million in funding to transform the early diagnosis of disease by harnessing new advances in quantum sensors that can detect cells and molecules with greater sensitivity than traditional diagnostic tests.
This includes the development of quantum-enhanced blood tests to diagnose infections and cancer using portable devices and sensors that measure tiny changes in magnetic fields in the brain to detect early markers of Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear, as well as quantum-enhanced MRI scans, cardiac scanners, surgical and therapeutic interventions for early stage and hard-to-treat cancers.
Professor Michael Holinsky from the University of Birmingham has received £27.5 million to lead the UK Quantum Technologies Sensing, Imaging and Timing Hub (QuSIT), which aims to overcome key research barriers to quantum sensing, imaging and timing used at scale across a range of sectors including healthcare, infrastructure, transport and security.
These include quantum brain scanners to enhance investigations into dementia and epilepsy, and quantum microscopes to measure biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle said: “We want to see a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday life.”
“Not only will[these hubs]transform sectors such as healthcare and security, but they will also create a culture of accelerated innovation that will help grow our economy.”
