Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) has published a study outlining the potential societal benefits of quantum technologies. The Perspective, published in ACS Nano on December 18, 2025, focuses on applications such as earlier disease detection, faster drug development, and new avenues for clean energy.
Key Quantum Life Science Applications
The study highlights three main areas where quantum technologies can advance life sciences:
- Nanoscale Quantum Biosensors: These sensors, particularly fluorescent nanodiamonds, can monitor temperature, pH, and magnetic/electric fields within living cells. These biocompatible tools offer real-time insights into cellular microenvironments, which could be used to track cellular responses to therapies and guide regenerative medicine.
- Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)/Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): This technique enhances weak magnetic resonance signals over 10,000-fold, allowing for direct, time-resolved imaging of metabolism deep within tissues. It is being explored for imaging tumor metabolism and has potential for routine clinical use with emerging probes and cost-effective polarization methods.
- Quantum Biology: By studying natural phenomena like energy transfer in photosynthesis and quantum tunneling in enzyme reactions, researchers aim to develop biomimetic sensors and catalysts. This could lead to innovations in clean energy, including methods for oxygen-tolerant hydrogen production.
Expert Perspectives and Future Vision
Dr. Hiroshi Yukawa, Project Director at QST's Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS), stated that the goal is to make quantum tools practical for clinical and laboratory settings. Dr. Yoshinobu Baba, Director General of iQLS, envisioned wearable devices equipped with diamond-based quantum sensors for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of health markers, which could impact cancer diagnostics, brain disorder studies, regenerative medicine, and aging research. Dr. Hidetoshi Kono, Deputy Director General of iQLS, emphasized the aim to integrate quantum life science into everyday healthcare.
iQLS, established by QST, is described as the world's first dedicated institute for quantum life science. The authors stressed that sustained investment in human capital and training for future specialists is crucial for transitioning these research advancements into real-world applications in healthcare and industry.