University of Virginia School of Medicinescientists are harnessing the mind-bending potential of quantum computers to help us understand genetic diseases even before quantum computers are a thing.
UVAs Stefan Bekiranov and colleagues have developed an algorithm to allow researchers to study genetic diseases using quantum computers once there are much more powerful quantum computers to run it. The algorithm, a complex set of operating instructions, will help advance quantum computing algorithm development and could advance the field of genetic research one day.
Quantum computers are still in their infancy. But when they come into their own, possibly within a decade, they may offer computing power on a scale unimaginable using traditional computers.
We developed and implemented a genetic sample classification algorithm that is fundamental to the field of machine learning on a quantum computer in a very natural way using the inherent strengths of quantum computers, Bekiranov said. This is certainly the first published quantum computer study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and may be the first study using a so-called universal quantum computer funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Traditional computer programs are built on 1s and 0s, either-or. But quantum computers take advantage of a freaky fundamental of quantum physics: Something can be and not be at the same time. Rather than 1 or 0, the answer, from a quantum computers perspective, is both, simultaneously. That allows the computer to consider vastly more possibilities, all at once.
The challenge is that the technology is, to put it lightly, technically demanding. Many quantum computers have to be kept at near absolute zero, the equivalent of more than 450 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Even then, the movement of molecules surrounding the quantum computing elements can mess up the calculations, so algorithms not only have to contain instructions for what to do, but for how to compensate when errors creep in.
Our goal was to develop a quantum classifier that we could implement on an actual IBM quantum computer. But the major quantum machine learning papers in the field were highly theoretical and required hardware that didnt exist. We finally found papers from Dr. Maria Schuld, who is a pioneer in developing implementable, near-term, quantum machine-learning algorithms. Our classifier builds on those developed by Dr. Schuld, Bekiranov said. Once we started testing the classifier on the IBM system, we quickly discovered its current limitations and could only implement a vastly oversimplified, or toy, problem successfully, for now.
The new algorithm essentially classifies genomic data. It can determine if a test sample comes from a disease or control sample exponentially faster than a conventional computer. For example, if they used all four building blocks of DNA (A, G, C or T) for the classification, a conventional computer would execute 3 billion operations to classify the sample. The new quantum algorithm would need only 32.
That will help scientists sort through the vast amount of data required for genetic research. But its also proof-of-concept of the usefulness of the technology for such research.
Bekiranov and collaborator Kunal Kathuria were able to create the algorithm because they were trained in quantum physics, a field that even scientists often find opaque. Such algorithms are more likely to emerge from physics or computer science departments than medical schools. (Both Bekiranov and Kathuria conducted the study in the School of MedicinesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Kathuria is currently at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development.)
Because of the researchers particular set of skills, officials at the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Mental Health supported them in taking on the challenging project. Bekiranov and Kathuria hope what they have developed will be a great benefit to quantum computing and, eventually, human health.
Relatively small-scale quantum computers that can solve toy problems are in existence now, Bekiranov said. The challenges of developing a powerful universal quantum computer are immense. Along with steady progress, it will take multiple scientific breakthroughs. But time and again, experimental and theoretical physicists, working together, have risen to these challenges. If and when they develop a powerful universal quantum computer, I believe it will revolutionize computation and be regarded as one of greatest scientific and engineering achievements of humankind.
The scientists have published their findings in the scientific journalQuantum Machine Intelligence. The algorithm-development team consisted of Kathuria, Aakrosh Ratan, Michael McConnell and Bekiranov.
The work was supported by NIH grants 3U01MH106882-04S1, 5U01MH106882-05 and P30CA044579.
To keep up with the latest medical research news from UVA, subscribe to theMaking of Medicineblog.
Read the rest here:
UVA Pioneers Study of Genetic Diseases With Mind-Bending Quantum Computing - University of Virginia
- The Quantum Computer Revolution Is Closer Than You May Think - National Review - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Time Crystals Could be the Key to the First Quantum Computer - TrendinTech - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- quantum computing - WIRED UK - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Chinese scientists build world's first quantum computing machine - India Today - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Here's How We Can Achieve Mass-Produced Quantum Computers - ScienceAlert - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- D-Wave partners with U of T to move quantum computing along - Financial Post - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Team develops first blockchain that can't be hacked by quantum computer - Siliconrepublic.com - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Telstra just wants a quantum computer to offer as-a-service - ZDNet - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Research collaborative pursues advanced quantum computing - Phys.Org - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Market Forecast 2017-2022 | Market ... - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Is Real, and D-Wave Just Open ... - WIRED - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- FinDEVr London: Preparing for the Dark Side of Quantum Computing - GlobeNewswire (press release) - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Purdue, Microsoft to Collaborate on Quantum Computer - Photonics.com - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Scientists May Have Found a Way to Combat Quantum Computer Blockchain Hacking - Futurism - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Microsoft and Purdue work on scalable topological quantum computer - Next Big Future - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- HYPRES Expands Efforts in Quantum Computing with Launch of European Subsidiary SeeQC - Business Wire (press release) - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- From the Abacus to Supercomputers to Quantum Computers - Duke Today - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Accenture, Biogen, 1QBit Launch Quantum Computing App to ... - HIT Consultant - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- The US and China "Quantum Computing Arms Race" Will Change Long-Held Dynamics in Commerce, Intelligence ... - PR Newswire (press release) - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Technologies markets will reach $10.7 billion by 2024 - PR Newswire (press release) - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- A Hybrid of Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Is Spawning New Ventures - IEEE Spectrum - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- KPN CISO details Quantum computing attack dangers - Mobile World Live - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Get ahead in quantum computing AND attract Goldman Sachs - eFinancialCareers - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Accenture, 1QBit partner for drug discovery through quantum ... - ZDNet - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Toward optical quantum computing - MIT News - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Quantum computing, the machines of tomorrow | The Japan Times - The Japan Times - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Its time to decide how quantum computing will help your ... - June 18th, 2017 [June 18th, 2017]
- Israel Enters Quantum Computer Race, Placing Encryption at Ever-Greater Risk - Sputnik International - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Prototype device enables photon-photon interactions at room ... - Phys.Org - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Dow and 1QBit Announce Collaboration Agreement on Quantum Computing - Business Wire (press release) - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Imperfect crystals may be perfect storage method for quantum computing - Digital Trends - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Dow Chemical, 1QBit Ink Quantum Computing Development Deal - Zacks.com - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Google on track for quantum computer breakthrough by end of 2017 - New Scientist - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- USC to lead project to build super-speedy quantum computers - USC News - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- The Quantum Computer Factory That's Taking on Google and IBM ... - WIRED - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- The weird science of quantum computing, communications and encryption - C4ISR & Networks - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Multi-coloured photons in 100 dimensions may make quantum ... - Cosmos - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Global Quantum Computing Market Growth at a CAGR of 35.12 ... - PR Newswire (press release) - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Qudits: The Real Future of Quantum Computing? - IEEE Spectrum - IEEE Spectrum - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- New method could enable more stable and scalable quantum ... - Phys.Org - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Quantum computers are about to get real | Science News - Science News Magazine - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing - Scientific American - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Australia's ambitious plan to win the quantum race - ZDNet - July 3rd, 2017 [July 3rd, 2017]
- How quantum mechanics can change computing - The Conversation - The Conversation US - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- UNSW joins with government and business to keep quantum computing technology in Australia - The Australian Financial Review - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- UNSW launches Australia's first hardware quantum computing company with investments from federal and NSW ... - OpenGov Asia - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- Finns chill out quantum computers with qubit refrigerator to cut out errors - ZDNet - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- Hype and cash are muddying public understanding of quantum ... - The Conversation AU - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- IEEE Approves Standards Project for Quantum Computing ... - insideHPC - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- Silicon Quantum Computing launched to commercialise UNSW ... - ZDNet - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- The Era of Quantum Computing Is Here. Outlook: Cloudy ... - January 30th, 2018 [January 30th, 2018]
- The Era of Quantum Computing Is Here. Outlook: Cloudy | WIRED - February 6th, 2018 [February 6th, 2018]
- Quantum computing in the NISQ era and beyond - February 6th, 2018 [February 6th, 2018]
- What is quantum computing? - Definition from WhatIs.com - February 6th, 2018 [February 6th, 2018]
- Quantum computers - WIRED UK - February 19th, 2018 [February 19th, 2018]
- Is Quantum Computing an Existential Threat to Blockchain ... - February 21st, 2018 [February 21st, 2018]
- What is Quantum Computing? Webopedia Definition - March 25th, 2018 [March 25th, 2018]
- Quantum Computing Explained - WIRED UK - April 15th, 2018 [April 15th, 2018]
- Quantum computing: A simple introduction - Explain that Stuff - June 2nd, 2018 [June 2nd, 2018]
- What are quantum computers and how do they work? WIRED ... - June 22nd, 2018 [June 22nd, 2018]
- How Quantum Computers Work - July 22nd, 2018 [July 22nd, 2018]
- The reality of quantum computing could be just three years ... - September 12th, 2018 [September 12th, 2018]
- The 3 Types of Quantum Computers and Their Applications - November 24th, 2018 [November 24th, 2018]
- Quantum Computing - VLAB - January 27th, 2019 [January 27th, 2019]
- Quantum Computing | Centre for Quantum Computation and ... - January 27th, 2019 [January 27th, 2019]
- Microsofts quantum computing network takes a giant leap ... - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- IBM hits quantum computing milestone, may see 'Quantum ... - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- Quantum technology - Wikipedia - March 13th, 2019 [March 13th, 2019]
- Quantum Computing | D-Wave Systems - April 18th, 2019 [April 18th, 2019]
- Microsoft will open-source parts of Q#, the programming ... - May 7th, 2019 [May 7th, 2019]
- What Is Quantum Computing? The Complete WIRED Guide | WIRED - May 8th, 2019 [May 8th, 2019]
- The five pillars of Edge Computing -- and what is Edge computing anyway? - Information Age - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Moore's Law Is Dying. This Brain-Inspired Analogue Chip Is a Glimpse of What's Next - Singularity Hub - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Experts Gather at Fermilab for International Workshop on Cryogenic Electronics for Quantum Systems - Quantaneo, the Quantum Computing Source - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Princeton announces initiative to propel innovations in quantum science and technology - Princeton University - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Detecting Environmental 'Noise' That Can Damage The Quantum State of Qubits - In Compliance - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Quantum Computing beginning talks with clients on its quantum asset allocation application - Proactive Investors USA & Canada - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- What is quantum computing? The next era of computational evolution, explained - Digital Trends - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- IT sees the Emergence of Quantum Computing as a Looming Threat to Keeping Valuable Information Confidential - Quantaneo, the Quantum Computing Source - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- More wrong answers get quantum computers to find the right one - Futurity: Research News - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]