The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American scientist Karl Deisseroth and German researchers Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their groundbreaking discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and the development of optogenetics. Announced by the Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, the prestigious prize recognizes the trio for establishing a molecular switch that enables scientists to control nerve cell activity using light. The method has fundamentally transformed neuroscience by allowing researchers to switch individual neurons on or off within a living brain. Karl Deisseroth is a professor at Stanford University in the United States, while Peter Hegemann is based at Humboldt University of Berlin and Georg Nagel conducts research at the University of Würzburg in Germany. The breakthrough originated from early investigations into how algae react to light, leading to the identification of light-sensitive proteins that can trigger electrical impulses when introduced into other cells. Optogenetics has since provided unprecedented insight into complex brain circuitry and behavior, shedding light on conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, the technique is actively being utilized in experimental efforts to restore vision in individuals with visual impairments. The laureates will share a prize sum of 12 million Swedish crowns, equivalent to approximately $1.2 million, to be presented during the official ceremony in December.
Source: cbsnews.com
