Quantum Computing will transform the Healthcare Sector

The Progress

 

Quantum Computing began in 1980 when Paul Benioff, a physicist, put forward a quantum mechanical model of the Turing machine. And the devices that operate quantum computations are known as quantum computers. "In the simplest terms, quantum computing harnesses the mysterious properties of quantum mechanics to solve problems using individual atoms and subatomic particles," as explained by Scott Buchholz.

 

Quantum computing has a profound impact over the field of healthcare in various ways. For instance, quantum computing provides an opportunity to identify, trace and diagnose that particular disease such as multiple sclerosis and also help in keeping track of progress made during cancer treatments. 

 

"Quantum computing may also – directly and indirectly – lead to the ability to diagnose disease..." as noted by Buchholz. 

 

Apart from extracting live data such as weather updates and traffic updates, quantum technology would also prove itself to be one of the most beneficial methods of delivery during this pandemic. Needless to mention, it would also help in reducing the time and cost of exerting its influence over the early-stage drug discovery whereas pharmaceuticals generally take more than ten years or even more to bring it into the spotlight. 

 

Buchholz stated, "That is, during the drug discovery process, they could be useful to dramatically reduce the time required to sort through existing databases of molecules to look for targets, identify potential new drugs with novel properties, identify potential new targets and more."

 

Even though quantum computing works differently in almost every spheres of life, it has not positioned itself as "powerful". Quantum computing works for problems that include "molecular simulation, optimization and machine learning." [HealthcareITNews] 

 

(Must Check: How Does Quantum Computing Improve Machine Learning?

 

What Buchholz observes is: if Quantum computing continues to ascend in an exponential manner with respect to its usage of qubits for computational purposes doubling every year, it would definitely become more powerful than ever before. He also assured that Quantum Computers will gradually enhance the capacity of optimizing logistics. And "the promise of quantum computers is to make some things faster – like optimization and machine learning – and make some things practical – like large scale molecular and process simulation." 

 

Buchholz concluded by saying, "While the technology to solve the 'at scale' problems is still several years in the future, researchers currently are working hard today to put the foundations in place to tackle these problems as the hardware capacity of quantum computers advances." and added further, "Should the hardware researchers achieve some of the sought after scalability breakthroughs, that promise could accelerate."