Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2026 was awarded to scientists Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their groundbreaking work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, announced the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Optogenetics enables precise control over the activity of individual nerve cells in the brain, unveiling new insights into brain functions globally, according to Thomas Perlmann, the Nobel Assembly’s secretary-general.
The trio, comprising 54-year-old American Deisseroth, 71-year-old German Hegemann, and 73-year-old German Nagel, expressed their mutual delight at sharing the prestigious prize. The scientists, based at Stanford University, Humboldt University, and the University of Würzburg, respectively, will divide the prize money of 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.7 million Cdn).
Anna Wedell, a genetics professor and Nobel committee member, emphasized that optogenetics marks the start of a revolutionary era in neuroscience, offering a deeper understanding of how the brain processes information and neuron interactions.
In ongoing clinical trials, optogenetics is being utilized to restore vision in individuals with retinitis pigmentosa by inserting light-sensitive proteins into the retina. Researchers also aim to enhance cochlear implants with optogenetics for more precise auditory nerve stimulation compared to current electrical devices, enabling visual perceptions by stimulating healthy retinal cells, as explained by Per Svenningsson, a neurology professor at Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
The journey leading to the Nobel Prize began in the early 1990s when Hegemann investigated light responses in the alga Chlamydomonas, leading to the discovery of channelrhodopsin-2, a light-responsive ion channel. Deisseroth later demonstrated the application of optogenetics in nerve cells, marking a significant advancement in neuroscience.
The Nobel Prizes for chemistry and physics will be announced in the following days, with literature, peace, and economics prizes to be awarded later in October. Established by Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, the prizes aim to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions for the betterment of humankind. Nobel’s legacy continues to honor outstanding achievements in various fields, reflecting his diverse interests and contributions to society.