April 03, 2025 -- The Milner Therapeutics Institute were delighted to host a signing ceremony with Yonsei University last week, for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, and the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine.

This agreement is expected to serve as a critical foundation for activating international joint research, academic exchange and research collaboration in quantum fields, including quantum computing. Yonsei and Cambridge universities plan to explore a variety of collaborative programs, including joint research projects, exchange of researchers, and co-hosting academic events.

Yonsei University plans to utilize the IBM Quantum Computer – the first of its kind introduced in Korea – to pursue practical joint research with Cambridge. The aim is to generate tangible research outcomes in quantum computing and quantum information science, and to build a foundation for core technologies that will lead future industries.

“It is deeply meaningful to embark on this new challenge in the field of quantum science and technology together with the University of Cambridge — an institution that has played a central role in the history of physics, from Newton, Maxwell, Rutherford, and Dirac to Hawking.” said Dong-Sup Yoon, President of Yonsei University. “I expect this partnership to make a historic contribution to the advancement of quantum science and technology, and Yonsei will continue to expand this collaboration.”

Namshik Han, Milner Institute Head of Computational Biology and Artificial Intelligence, added: “This partnership brings together complementary strengths from Yonsei and Cambridge to tackle some of the most exciting challenges at the intersection of quantum computing and biomedicine. By combining Yonsei’s expertise in quantum technology with Cambridge’s leadership in AI-driven drug discovery, we aim to unlock new biological insights and therapeutic opportunities. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of science and opening entirely new frontiers in technology and medicine.”

Following the signing ceremony at the University of Cambridge’s Old Schools, a detailed discussion was held with over 20 leading Cambridge professors from fields such as medicine, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, exploring concrete strategies for collaboration. The Yonsei delegation also toured Cambridge, including visits to Trinity, St John’s, and King’s Colleges, and participated in the Cambridge-Google AlphaFold Workshop, held at Magdalene College the same day.