Optogenetics trio awarded 2026 medicine Nobel
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel were recognised for work that has helped researchers investigate brain activity and neural circuits.
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on optogenetics, a method that uses light to study and control nerve-cell activity.
The Nobel committee said their research laid the foundation for a new era in neuroscience. It has helped scientists investigate how the brain works and examine neural circuits associated with specific memories, feelings and behaviours.
The work is relevant to research into neurological and psychiatric disorders, according to the committee’s account. The source does not detail the researchers’ individual contributions.
Researchers are also using optogenetics in efforts to restore sight in people with visual impairment. The reported work is a research effort; no progress or outcomes were specified.
