National Conference on Quantum Biotechnology Charts India's Path in Quantum-Enabled Life Sciences
核心洞察
India's quantum science and life sciences communities convened at the National Conference on Quantum Biotechnology to advance translation of quantum science into diagnostics, imaging, drug discovery, and precision medicine.
The one-day conference, hosted by Qmet Tech at IIT Bombay, aligned with India's National Quantum Mission to build an application-driven quantum ecosystem.
Qmet Tech Foundation (搜索), the thematic hub for Quantum Sensing & Metrology, is developing high-precision quantum sensors aimed at addressing biological questions conventional instrumentation cannot reach.
India's quantum science and life sciences communities came together at the National Conference on Quantum Biotechnology, bringing together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, startups, and students to advance the translation of quantum science into diagnostics, biomedical imaging, drug discovery, and precision medicine. The initiative aligns with India's National Quantum Mission (NQM), positioning quantum-enabled life sciences as a priority frontier for the country's research and healthcare innovation agenda.
Professor Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), highlighted the strategic importance of quantum biotechnology while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the one-day national conference hosted by Qmet Tech at the PC Saxena Auditorium on the IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai, Maharashtra. QMet Tech Foundation (搜索) (Qmet) serves as the thematic hub (T-hub) for Quantum Sensing & Metrology established under NQM at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay campus, with support from DST.
An Emerging Frontier at the Intersection of Disciplines
Quantum biotechnology sits at the intersection of quantum sensing, imaging, and computing with the life sciences—an emerging frontier where quantum-grade measurement is beginning to unlock biological questions that conventional instrumentation cannot reach. The conference was designed as an interdisciplinary platform to define national research directions in this space and to strengthen the pathway from laboratory demonstration to deployable healthcare technology.
"Unless we work on all sides of the technology in an integrated and strategic manner, we cannot take India ahead in the technology domain," said Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, highlighting the institute's role in convening interdisciplinary national platforms.
Translating Quantum Sensing to Clinical Needs
Professor Kasturi Saha, Project Director, Qmet Tech Foundation (搜索), underscored the clinical relevance of the technology. "Quantum biotechnology is where our sensing capabilities meet real clinical needs. At Qmet Tech, we are building quantum sensors of remarkable precision. The task now is to point them at the questions biology has been unable to answer. Bringing physicists, biologists, and industry into one room is how that translation begins," she said.
Hardik Joshi, CEO of Qmet Tech Foundation (搜索), noted the growing commercial momentum behind the field. "What struck me today is how much industry interest quantum biotechnology is attracting. Qmet Tech's role is to convert it into deployable technology, supporting startups, developing talent, and creating the manufacturing and testing capability India will need as these tools move towards the clinic," he said.
Conference Structure and National Deliberations
The programme was structured around three sessions covering quantum for biology and the academic landscape, translating quantum biosensors from lab to industry, and innovating for applications in biosensing. A panel discussion was held on "Quantum Biotechnology in India: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Path Forward."
Participants in the deliberations included Dr. JBV Reddy, Head, Quantum Technology Cell, DST; Dr. Rajneesh Gaur, Scientist 'F', Department of Biotechnology (搜索) (DBT); Professor Himadri Dhar, IIT Bombay; Professor Swaroop Ganguly, IIT Bombay; and Hardik Joshi, CEO, Qmet Tech Foundation (搜索).
By bringing quantum sensing, imaging, computing, and biotechnology into a single forum, the National Conference on Quantum Biotechnology reinforced the National Quantum Mission's objective of building a collaborative, application-driven quantum ecosystem and positioning quantum-enabled life sciences as a priority frontier for India's research and healthcare innovation agenda.