Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026 Awarded for Optogenetics
US psychiatrist Karl Deisseroth and German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel win the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Karl Deisseroth and German colleagues win the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for optogenetics.
- Their research has helped scientists uncover the neural circuits that govern human feelings and memories.
- The Nobel Committee praised the breakthrough for launching a new era in neuroscience and neurological treatments.
- The three winners will equally share the 12 million Swedish kronor prize money.
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth alongside German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their pioneering contributions to optogenetics.
The Nobel Committee commended the trio for establishing the foundation of a brand-new era in neuroscience, illuminating the neural circuits responsible for specific memories, behaviors, and emotions relevant to psychiatric disorders.
"Optogenetics has fundamentally altered our understanding of the brain."
The Nobel Assembly
Optogenetics works by using a special protein derived from algae, enabling scientists to control the electrical activity of cells using light. In the early 2000s, Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, an algal protein boasting unique properties that paved the way for researchers to study nerve pathways in animals.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In clinical medicine, researchers are leveraging this method to restore vision in individuals suffering from visual impairments. Current clinical trials focus on helping patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa regain sight through specialized eye protein implants and light-emitting glasses.
Optogenetics represents a revolutionary fusion of optics and genetics, allowing researchers to toggle specific neurons on and off with pinpoint spatial and temporal precision. Unlike traditional pharmacology or electrical stimulation which often affect broad brain regions, this light-based approach minimizes off-target effects and offers profound implications for future neurological therapies.
The laureates expressed that receiving the honor was absolutely wonderful and highlighted how special it was to share the accolade with friends. The three men will split the £900,000, equivalent to 12 million Swedish kronor, prize money equally.
Source: BBC Health
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