2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded for Optogenetics Discoveries
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. This technique allows control of nerve cell activity using light, enabling studies of neural circuits related to memories and behaviours. Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin-1 and channelrhodopsin-2, proteins that respond to blue light, while Deisseroth applied this knowledge to manipulate nerve cells in living brains. Since its introduction, optogenetics has become essential in neuroscience, aiding research on pain, social behaviour, and neurological disorders. The method also shows potential for medical applications, including restoring vision and enhancing cochlear implants.
Published 1 day ago • 05 Oct 2026, 03:25 PM IST