Science Minister announces quantum research centre for healthcare | UCL News

The hub, called Q-BIOMED, is one of five quantum research hubs announced today by Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, backed by $160 million in funding.

The hub aims to exploit advances in quantum sensors capable of detecting cells and molecules, potentially orders of magnitude more sensitive than traditional diagnostic tests.

This includes the development of quantum-enhanced blood tests to diagnose infectious diseases and cancer quickly and cheaply using portable instruments and sensors that measure tiny changes in the brain's magnetic fields that have the potential to detect early markers of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear.

Further research will focus on quantum-enhanced MRI scans, cardiac scans, and surgical and therapeutic interventions for early-stage, hard-to-treat cancers.

Professor Rachel McKendry, Co-Director of the new hub, from the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the Division of Medicine at UCL, said: “Q-BIOMED is an exciting new quantum research hub, bringing together two areas of science in which the UK is a world leader, quantum medicine and biomedicine, and positioning us at the global forefront of this exciting new field.

OURhubaims to grownew quantum for healthThe UK’s innovation ecosystem has already shaped the UK’s new Quantum Mission for Health. Our long-term vision is to accelerate the entire innovation process, from discovery research to translation, adoption and implementation within the NHS and global healthcare systems, for the benefit of patients and society.

Earlier diagnosis of diseases such as cancer would enable a paradigm shift in healthcare, enabling faster access to life-saving treatments and better health outcomes. Faster, more sensitive and more accessible diagnostic tests could also help reduce waiting lists, easing pressure on the NHS..

Co-director Professor Mete Come on, from the University of Cambridge, said: Quantum technologies exploit quantum physics to achieve functionality or performance that is otherwise unattainable, arising from a science that cannot be explained by classical physics.

Q-BIOMED will be delivered by an exceptional team of researchers from academia, the NHS, charities, government and industry to harness quantum advances for human health and societal benefit.

The five newly announced clusters are managed by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with an investment of $106 million from the EPSRC, the UK Biotechnology and Biology Research Council, the UK Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. This is supported by contributions from industry and other partners worth over $54 million.

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “We want a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday life. That’s the vision behind our investment in these new quantum technology hubs, supporting the deployment of technologies that will enable faster diagnoses of disease, secure critical infrastructure from hostile threats and cleaner energy for us all.”

It’s not just about research, it’s about putting that research into practice. These hubs will bridge the gap between bright ideas and practical solutions. They will not only transform sectors like health and safety, but also create a culture of accelerated innovation that will help grow our economy.

The Q-BIOMED hub brings together researchers from UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick Cardiff and Heriot Watt, as well as NHS trusts, industry partners and charities.

At UCL alone, the hub involves a wide range of disciplines, with quantum experts, physicists and chemists working with biomedical researchers, cardiologists, health engineers and neuroscientists, from the faculties of UCL Medical Sciences, UCL Mathematical and Physical Sciences, UCL Engineering, UCL Brain Sciences and UCL Population Health Sciences.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), said: “We are delighted to congratulate Professor Rachel McKendry on her leadership of this hub, which is vital to the emerging field of quantum health, and the whole team on this tremendous achievement.”

UCL is home to Europe's largest biomedical hub and is developing its strengths in quantum health through new academic appointments, scholarships and collaborations with our partner hospitals.

The four main flagship programs of the cluster are:

• Biomedical imaging:Quantum sensors measuring tiny changes in magnetic fields aim to detect a very early marker of Alzheimer’s disease (disruptions in neuronal responsiveness) before symptoms appear. This early detection is essential for new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease to be effective. New quantum imaging capabilities will also be applied to the detection of cardiovascular diseases, and research into MASER-enhanced MRI aims to explore new imaging modalities and faster acquisition times.
• Quantum-enhanced in vitro diagnostics: Ultra-sensitive blood tests will be developed by exploiting spin-enhanced nanodiamond sensors in simple lateral flow tests as well as other small, portable formats. This could expand access to tests in GP surgeries, pharmacists and home self-testing, transforming early diagnosis of a range of diseases from infections to cancer.
• New surgical and therapeutic interventions for early-stage, hard-to-treat cancers. Among these, a new approach is studying the use of magnetic nanoparticles to treat cancer.
• New quantum sensing technology able to analyze individual cells and molecules, to help researchers identify mechanisms within cells that could be targeted to prevent disease.

The hub's core research program will be complemented by strong stakeholder engagement, a translational impact fund, a future leaders program, and active patient and public participation.

EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane said: “Technologies that harness quantum properties will deliver unprecedented power and analytical capability at the molecular level, with truly revolutionary possibilities in everything from healthcare to infrastructure and computing.”

The five quantum technology hubs announced today will harness UK expertise to drive innovation, support growth and ensure we capitalise on the profound opportunities of this transformative technology.

Hub partners include the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, Addenbrookes Hospital and the Africa Health Research Institute. There are 17 industry and charity partners, including the Alzheimers Society and Cancer Research UK.

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• From left to right: Professor John Morton (London Centre for Nanotechnology at UCL), Professor Rachel McKendry (London Centre for Nanotechnology and UCL Division of Medicine), Professor Mete Atatre (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge) and Professor Eleni Nastouli (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Consultant Virologist at UCLH). Credit: James Tye / UCL

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