From quantum computing to mRNA therapeutics: seven technologies to watch in 2026 - Nature

Email Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Whatsapp X The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will image the entire southern sky over ten years. Credit: RubinObs/NSF/DOE/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/Hernan Stockebrand From quantum computing and mRNA therapeutics to artificial-intelligence-powered climate modelling, here are seven technologies that Nature will be keeping its eye on. Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Learn more Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Learn more Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Learn more Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Nature 649, 1065-1069 (2026) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00188-6 References Kawai, T. et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 392, 1933–1940 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Griffith, B. P. et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 387, 35–44 (2022). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Tao, K. S. et al. Nature 641, 1029–1036 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   He, J. et al. Nature Med. 31, 3388–3393 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Bi, K. et al. Nature 619, 533–538 (2023). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Allen, A. et al. Nature 641, 1172–1179 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Bodnar, C. et al. Nature 641, 1180–1187 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Duncan, J. P. C. et al. Preprint at arXiv https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.12490 (2025). Tavakoli, M. R. et al. Nature 642, 398–410 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Park, S. Y. et al. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.26.678648 (2025). Zhang, H. et al. Cell 188, 1378–1392 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Ioannidis, J. P. A., Pezzullo, A. M., Cristiano, A. & Boccia, S. JAMA Health Forum 6, e252223 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Sethna, Z. et al. Nature 639, 1042–1051 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Grippin, A. J. et al. Nature 647, 488–497 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Rurik, J. G. et al. Science 375, 91–96 (2022). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Google Quantum AI. Nature 614, 676–681 (2023). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Place, A. P. M. et al. Nature Commun. 12, 1779 (2021). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Bland, M. P. et al. Nature 647, 343–348 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Bluvstein, D. et al. Nature 649, 39–46 (2026). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Chiu, N.-C. et al. Nature 646, 1075–1080 (2025). Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   Download references Latest on: Technology Astronomical instrumentation Energy AI and the PhD student: friend or foe? TECHNOLOGY FEATURE 16 MAR 26 Data from smart watches reveal early signs of insulin resistance NEWS & VIEWS 16 MAR 26 China approves brain chip to treat paralysis — a world first NEWS 16 MAR 26 Jobs Unlock Your Potential with a PhD at Scuola Superiore Meridionale - early notice for a.y. 2026/27 Nestled in the vibrant city of Naples, Italy, SSM is a prestigious institution of higher learning and research Naples (IT) Scuola Superiore Meridionale Faculty Positions in the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS), Westlake University Positions are open at all ranks, including tenured Associate, Full, and Chair Professors, as well as tenure-track Assistant and Associate Professors. Hangzhou, Zhejiang (CN) Westlake University Global Recruitment for Faculty, Postdocs, and Specialists at Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, CAS Seeking exceptional Senior/Junior PIs, Postdocs, and Core Specialists globally year-round Hangzhou, China Hangzhou Institute of Medicine Chinese Academy of Sciences (HIMCAS) High-Level Talent at the Major Agricultural Microbiology Research Facility of HZAU Join HZAU's global faculty team to advance research with competitive benefits. No.1 Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) Chemistry Faculty Positions at Westlake University Chemistry at the School of Science is committed to fostering inclusive excellence in a variety of research and teaching activities. Hangzhou, Zhejiang (CN) Westlake University