On a global stage in Berlin, surrounded by leading scientists and engineers in quantum computing, a Mayo Clinic team earned first place at the Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026.

The five-week hackathon challenged six finalist teams to prove that quantum computing — one of science's newest and most complex frontiers — can solve meaningful problems beyond theory. More than 180 teams applied to compete. The awards were presented on March 5.

The Mayo team built a novel quantum-powered model capable of detecting movement intention directly from brain activity. 

Code, circuits and possibility

Inside the competition hall, conversations unfolded in the language of quantum science — qubits, circuits and optimization algorithms. Teams presented performance metrics to an expert judging panel that challenged assumptions and tested claims on the spot. Technical execution, scalability and real-world impact all factored into the score.

Among them stood a Mayo Clinic team that had begun studying quantum computing only a year earlier.

They approached the challenge the way Mayo Clinic approaches medicine: with the patient at the center and the science pushed to its limits.

Decoding the intent to move

The team's work began with a clinical question: What happens when the brain intends to move, but the body cannot?

In people living with paralysis or other motor impairments, the brain still sends the signal, carrying intention across neural networks even when the body cannot respond.

The team set out to detect that signal by distinguishing the intent to move a left hand from a right — a subtle difference buried within the brain's constant electrical rhythm.

They drew on electroencephalogram, or EEG, recordings, which capture the brain's electrical activity as continuous waves layered with motion and background noise.

To isolate that distinction, they built a hybrid system that combined advanced AI with emerging quantum tools. That required learning the language of quantum science.

"One of our secrets to success was focusing on the complete solution, not just the computational challenge," says Dr. Rickey Carter, professor of biostatistics at Mayo Clinic and the team leader. "We built around patients' needs and paid close attention to the edge cases where the model struggled. That's where we concentrated our quantum efforts."

If validated in future research, such signals could one day help guide assistive technologies or prosthetics, potentially enabling more precise control of movement.

At the leading edge of discovery 

For Dr. Charles Bruce, chief innovation officer at Mayo Clinic in Florida, the hackathon reflected a broader commitment: building bridges across disciplines and borders in a field that advances through shared expertise.

"Standing alongside leaders in this field strengthened our work and reminded us that advancement happens together," Dr. Bruce says. "We entered this challenge as underdogs. None of us had prior quantum computing experience. But progress is built collectively. You learn from one another, blending biology with data science, and the work becomes stronger because of it."

The multidisciplinary team from Mayo Clinic in Florida — Dr. Carter, Miko Wieczorek, Dr. Michele Dougherty, Dr. Feifei Li and Dr. Bruce — built the model from the ground up. Mayo Clinic's Quantum Sensing and Computing program supported the effort, exploring how emerging quantum technologies may intersect with patient care.

Miko Wieczorek, a data scientist in the Mayo Clinic Digital Innovation Lab, led the team's work running the model on a quantum computer — a first for Mayo.

"When our model executed successfully on a quantum computer, it felt like stepping into the next chapter of science," Wieczorek says. "In that moment, we realized we weren't just observing this field — we were helping shape it."

Dr. Michele Dougherty, a medical physicist in Radiation Oncology, contributed expertise in complex optimization.

"Quantum computing could eventually help us design safer and more precise radiation treatments," she says. "If it accelerates how we find the best possible plan for a patient, that's meaningful."

Dr. Feifei Li, a former theoretical physicist who is now a medical physicist in Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic, says the project highlights how quantum computing could expand the boundaries of medical research.

"Some scientific questions remain unsolved not because we lack data, but because of how difficult they are to model," Dr. Li says. "Quantum computing gives us a different way to approach that complexity."

Quantum computing moves toward application

The event was hosted by Berlin-based quantum software company Kipu Quantum and supported by the State of Berlin's Quantum Initiative and the Charité-Berlin University Medicine.

"Quantum computing is proving this year that we can design hybrid quantum-classical solutions for tackling industrial problems," says Enrique Solano, CEO of Kipu Quantum. "Medical imaging and life science will occupy a key role in the list of applications. By winning the hackathon, Mayo Clinic is making an important step toward this visionary goal."

Shaping the frontier 

For the Mayo Clinic team, the Berlin hackathon reaffirmed that real progress begins with curiosity, collaboration and the courage to explore uncharted territory. Together, they showed how multidisciplinary teams can carry some of healthcare's most pressing challenges toward its next frontier.

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Traditional skin allergy patch testing can be cumbersome and time-intensive, often requiring patients to make multiple return visits to a clinic for analysis. However, a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution offers a faster and more accurate way to diagnose skin conditions from a patient's own home. Discover this innovative approach on the latest episode of Tomorrow's Cure.

The episode features Dr. Charles Bruce, chief innovation officer at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Dr. Alison Bruce, dermatologist at Mayo Clinic. Together, they are reimagining the future of skin patch testing.

The doctors have developed an app powered by an AI algorithm that enables patients to capture images of their own skin. The app then analyzes patch test results, which are validated by a healthcare professional to ensure the assessments are accurate.

The typical patch test is a lengthy, five-day process. Patients must visit a clinic to have the patches applied, then return on the third and fifth days for result readings, making the procedure time-consuming and inconvenient. The AI approach eliminates the need for multiple clinic visits, saving time for both patients and clinicians.

"The way that we are now approaching it is developing a better way to do this," said Dr. Allison Bruce.

This new method offers significant potential for both simplifying the process and expanding access to skin patch testing. Additionally, the app is designed to recognize diverse skin tones, delivering more accurate and personalized results.

"This is what's so exciting about the ability to bring skin patch testing to the community and to allow people who otherwise would not have access to skin patch testing to test for potential allergens," said Dr. Charles Bruce.

Check out the new episode of Tomorrow's Cure to learn how this cutting-edge technology is making patch testing easier, faster and more accessible for everyone. To see a complete list of episodes and featured experts, visit tomorrowscure.com.

The post Tomorrow’s Cure: How AI enhances skin allergy testing appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayo Clinic in Florida's new Discovery and Innovation Building opened on Thursday, Aug. 22. Here, pioneering technology will increase the number of lungs available for transplant. The 75,000-square-foot building also will house an innovative Life Sciences Incubator that connects entrepreneurs with resources to bring medical solutions to market.

Lungs are among the most fragile and difficult organs to transplant. They are susceptible to injuries and infections, with only about 20% of donor lungs in the U.S. meeting the standard for transplant. On average, about 300 people die every year waiting for a lung transplant. About 1,400 people are waiting for a lung transplant, and many more could benefit from a transplant if more viable lungs were available, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the organization that oversees the nation's organ transplant system.

To address the shortage of suitable lungs, Mayo Clinic and United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) announced a collaboration in 2015 that combines the use of United Therapeutics' ex-vivo lung perfusion technology and Mayo Clinic's medical expertise. With ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), donor lungs are flushed and ventilated while being monitored in isolation. This process allows transplant programs to re-evaluate lungs that would otherwise have been discarded.

As part of the agreement, Mayo Clinic leased land at its Florida location to Lung Biotechnology PBC, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Therapeutics, to construct the building, and equip and operate the center. The lungs will be perfused by Lung Bioengineering, a subsidiary of Lung Biotechnology PBC. Mayo Clinic will provide physician oversight and work with organ procurement organizations to coordinate the procurement and delivery of lungs. The lungs will be made available to patients at Mayo Clinic and other transplant centers. Mayo Clinic and United Therapeutics also will collaborate on the manufacturing of cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine research, an innovative area of medicine that could heal damaged tissue and organs.

"We are excited to work with United Therapeutics in this important and lifesaving collaboration that ultimately will increase the number of lungs for transplant patients," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "Mayo Clinic is firmly committed to using and developing the latest medical advances and innovations that will have tremendous benefits not only for our patients, but other patients at institutions throughout the U.S."

The building includes three ex-vivo lung perfusion surgical suites on the first floor and collaborative space for conducting cell-based therapy production on the second floor. The Mayo Clinic Life Sciences Incubator is on the third floor.

"We are honored to work with Mayo Clinic to expand the supply of transplantable lungs," said Martine Rothblatt, chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics. "Hundreds of additional transplantable lungs have been made available through EVLP technology, and we have more than doubled the number of hours that a lung can be outside of a body before being safely transplanted. In addition we hope to prevent the need for some lung transplants and to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia with new biologic medicines we will manufacture in the new building."

Mayo Clinic has one of the nation's largest and most experienced transplant practices, with locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. More than 200 physicians in transplant medicine and surgery at these three locations perform about 1,800 organ transplants per year and have a long track record of excellent outcomes.

Mayo Clinic established its lung transplant program in Florida in 2001. Since then, Mayo has performed 648 lung transplants and nine heart-lung transplants. The three-year survival rate at Mayo Clinic in Florida exceeds the national average by 9%. The patient survival rate at Mayo is 82% versus 73% nationally.

Mayo Clinic Life Sciences Incubator

To further accelerate advances in health care, the Mayo Clinic Life Sciences Incubator will bring together a community of innovators from across Northeast Florida, providing a hub for entrepreneurs to explore ideas; develop new health care and life science products and services; and create new, thriving companies.

The Mayo-led incubator programs will help:

• Inventors and entrepreneurs who wish to bring new ideas, products or technologies to market
• Educators that would like to partner with the business community
• Students that seek experiential learning opportunities
• Companies that want to access new ideas, products and talent to grow their business portfolios
• Economic development agencies that are eager to attract new business opportunities to the region
• Investors searching for new capital growth opportunities

"The Mayo Clinic Life Sciences Incubator will provide entrepreneurs in the community with a dedicated facility and structured programming that links local startups to an array of regional business, science and investment resources — a partnership of significant and numerous regional assets," says Charles Bruce, M.D., chief innovation officer, Mayo Clinic in Florida. "In turn, a lasting business environment will thrive in the Jacksonville area that spurs new solutions for patients around the world." Dr. Bruce is medical director for the incubator.

The Life Sciences Incubator received a competitive $750,000 federal grant in July from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This i6 Challenge grant is designed to fuel high-growth entrepreneurship and increase access to capital for communities across the U.S. This grant is awarded to just 26 organizations. Mayo's incubator will use the funds to collaborate with a dozen regional partners, contributing $12 million to the economy and creating 120 jobs in the Jacksonville area.

Dr. Bruce, an accomplished innovator who has helped create seven startup companies and holds 21 patents for medical inventions, says the award is significant not only for the amount, but also for the recognition.

"This award is a clear sign of Mayo Clinic's commitment to the region, our efforts to grow the economy, and attracting top talent in the life sciences field," Dr. Bruce says. "Mayo Clinic has earned the confidence and pledged collaboration from the research, business and economic development communities throughout Northeast Florida, as well as the backing of local and state government agencies."

Accelerated growth

Over the past four years, Mayo Clinic in Florida has flourished with major construction and new staff to serve a fast-growing patient population, especially those who require complex medical care. During this time, Mayo Clinic has invested more than $600 million in construction projects and added more than 1,000 new staff members. Two months ago, Mayo Clinic in Florida announced another new major construction project: a $233 million integrated oncology facility that includes proton beam therapy. The 140,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed in late 2023, will be located next to the Mangurian Building.

Mayo Clinic in Florida has more than 6,000 staff members and contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Florida economy.

###

About United Therapeutics
United Therapeutics Corporation focuses on the strength of a balanced, value-creating biotechnology model. The corporation is confident in its future thanks to its fundamental attributes, namely its obsession with quality and innovation, the power of its brands, its entrepreneurial culture and its bioinformatics leadership. The corporation also believes that its determination to be responsible citizens — having a positive impact on patients, the environment and society — will sustain its success in the long term.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Lung Biotechnology PBC, United Therapeutics is focused on addressing the acute national shortage of transplantable lungs and other organs with a variety of technologies that either delay the need for such organs or expand the supply. Lung Biotechnology is the first public benefit corporation subsidiary of a public biotechnology or pharmaceutical company. [uthr-g]

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and An Inside Look at Mayo Clinic for more information about Mayo.

Forward-looking statements

Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, among others, United Therapeutics' and Mayo's expectations regarding the collaboration between United Therapeutics and Mayo Clinic, and the ability of this collaboration to result in an increase in the available supply of lungs for transplant. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as those described in United Therapeutics' periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Consequently, such forward-looking statements are qualified by the cautionary statements, cautionary language and risk factors set forth in United Therapeutics' periodic reports and documents filed with the SEC, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. United Therapeutics claims the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. This information is provided as of August 22, 2019, and neither United Therapeutics nor Mayo Clinic assumes any obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

Media contacts:

• Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746, punsky.kevin@mayo.edu
• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-1419, ford.tia@mayo.edu
• James Edgemond, United Therapeutics, 301-608-9292, jedgemond@unither.com

The post Mayo Clinic and United Therapeutics to increase lungs for transplantation in new building dedicated to medical discovery, innovation appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen: Mayo Clinic Radio 4/27/19

On the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Edward Loftus Jr., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, discusses diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and treatment options. Also on the podcast, Dr. Avni Joshi, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Mayo Clinic, shares the latest research on the incidence of food allergies in different age groups. And Dr. Charles Bruce, medical director of the Life Sciences Incubator on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, explains a new collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Georgia Tech. The Convergence Science Program pairs Georgia Tech's engineering expertise with a Mayo physician's ideas to tackle a clinical problem in need of a solution.

The post #MayoClinicRadio podcast: 4/27/19 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Edward Loftus Jr., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, will discuss diagnosing IBD and treatment options. Also on the program, Dr. Avni Joshi, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Mayo Clinic, will share the latest research on the incidence of food allergies in different age groups. And Dr. Charles Bruce, medical director of the Life Sciences Incubator on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will explain a new collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Georgia Tech. The Convergence Science Program pairs Georgia Tech's engineering expertise with a Mayo physician's ideas to tackle a clinical problem in need of a solution.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post What is inflammatory bowel disease? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. There are two common types: ulcerative colitis, which causes ulcers, or sores, in the lining of the large intestine and rectum, and Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation of the lining of any part of the digestive tract. Symptoms of IBD usually involve severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. IBD can be debilitating and sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. While there is no cure for IBD, treatment can reduce the inflammation that triggers your signs and symptoms, and, in the best cases, lead to long-term remission.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Edward Loftus Jr., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, will discuss diagnosing IBD and treatment options. Also on the program, Dr. Avni Joshi, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Mayo Clinic, will share the latest research on the incidence of food allergies in different age groups. And Dr. Charles Bruce, medical director of the Life Sciences Incubator on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will explain a new collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Georgia Tech. The Convergence Science Program pairs Georgia Tech's engineering expertise with a Mayo physician's ideas to tackle a clinical problem in need of a solution.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post What is inflammatory bowel disease? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Edward Loftus Jr., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, will discuss diagnosing IBD and treatment options. Also on the program, Dr. Avni Joshi, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Mayo Clinic, will share the latest research on the incidence of food allergies in different age groups. And Dr. Charles Bruce, medical director of the Life Sciences Incubator on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will explain a new collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Georgia Tech. The Convergence Science Program pairs Georgia Tech's engineering expertise with a Mayo physician's ideas to tackle a clinical problem in need of a solution.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show? Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: IBD / food allergies / Convergence Science Program appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, November 8 at 9 a.m. CT, we’ll discuss the latest news from the Mayo Clinic Cardiology + Structural Heart Disease: Innovation Summit 2014. Replacing or repairing someone's heart valve through a blood vessel is a modern-day marvel. We'll find out how they do it. Plus, regenerating damaged heart tissue is a new frontier in cardiac care. Repair, replace and regenerate — how the newest innovations can save your heart.  Experts Charles Bruce, M.D., and Rakesh Suri, M.D., will be with us ... hope you join us, too!

Myth or Fact: Stem cell therapy for heart disease is an alternative to bypass surgery and/or stents.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

To listen to the program on Saturday, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment November 8, 2014 (right click MP3)

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

For a look at future program topics, click here.
To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Miss the show? Here's the podcast! Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 11-8-2014 44min mp3

On Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, November 8 at 9 a.m. CT, we discussed the  latest news from the Mayo Clinic Cardiology + Structural Heart Disease: Innovation Summit 2014.  Replacing or repairing someone's heart valve through a blood vessel is a modern-day marvel.  We found out how they do it. Plus, regenerating damaged heart tissue is a new frontier in cardiac care.  Repair, replace and regenerate - how the newest innovations can save your heart.  Experts Charles Bruce, M.D., and Rakesh Suri, M.D., were in studio with us!

Myth or Fact: Stem cell therapy for heart disease is an alternative to bypass surgery and/or stents.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

To listen to the program on Saturday, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

For a look at future program topics, click here.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Heart Summit – Repair, Replace, Regenerate appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.