Nobel medicine prize goes to trio for optogenetics breakthrough

· Health · United States · Germany

The 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for pioneering work in optogenetics, which allows researchers to control nerve cells using light. The technique uses light-gated ion channels to stimulate neurones, potentially unlocking new treatments for brain and psychiatric disorders. The prize recognises discoveries that have become a foundational tool in neuroscience, letting scientists switch specific brain cells on and off with precision.

Why it matters：Optogenetics has transformed brain research and could lead to treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions, benefiting patients worldwide.

Key points

  • The prize went to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel.
  • Optogenetics controls neurones by stimulating them with light.
  • The method uses light-gated ion channels to switch brain cells on and off.

Sources (original reporting)

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