On 5 October 2026, Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries related to light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.
- Karl Deisseroth (USA), Peter Hegemann (Germany) and Georg Nagel (Germany) shared the prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million).
- Their work led to optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control the activity of individual nerve cells in a living brain.
- Optogenetics is now widely used in laboratories to study brain function and neurological processes.
- The Medicine Nobel traditionally opens the annual Nobel Prize announcements.
- The award is presented by the Nobel Assembly of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
- The Nobel Prize ceremonies are held on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
