Quantum Sensing for the Life Sciences

The Wilhelm und Else Heraeus seminar on “QLife: Quantum Technologies and the Life Sciences” brings together leading scientists and early-career researchers working at the intersection of quantum technologies and the life sciences. Participants will represent a wide range of disciplines, including experimental and theoretical physics, chemistry, quantum information science, biology, engineering, and start-up ventures, ensuring a rich diversity of perspectives and expertise to promote vigorous discussion.

The aim of the seminar is to provide a platform for discussion of the most recent experimental and theoretical advances at the intersection of quantum physics and the life sciences and to explore and discuss novel routes to answer key questions in the field: Which are the most promising areas to deploy quantum technologies in the life sciences? How can we make use of chemically designed or biologically expressed biomolecules such as quantum sensors and biological self-organisation to develop new quantum sensors? How can we bring these tools to bear on key problems in medicine and the life sciences?

These questions will be addressed through a combination of perspective talks that lay foundational groundwork and highlight emerging challenges, alongside research presentations and hot-topic talks selected from submitted abstracts. Each day will conclude with extended joint discussion sessions, where all speakers and participants engage in open dialogue to reflect, integrate insights, and identify future directions.

By fostering interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration, QLife aims to catalyse new research at the intersection of quantum physics and the life sciences, and to build a community of researchers equipped to tackle the scientific and technological challenges at this exciting frontier.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.