Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced on Monday in Stockholm. Optogenetics enables the precise control of individual nerve cell activity within a living brain, shedding light on the mysteries of the brain, as stated by Thomas Perlmann, the secretary general of the Nobel Assembly.
The three laureates, Deisseroth from the United States, Hegemann from Germany, and Nagel from Germany, expressed their joy upon learning about the prestigious award. They all emphasized the honor of sharing the prize with their esteemed colleagues and friends. The Nobel Prize, accompanied by a monetary award of 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.7 million Cdn), will be divided among the three scientists.
Deisseroth is affiliated with Stanford University, Hegemann with Humboldt University in Berlin, and Nagel with the University of Wurzburg in Germany. Their research in optogenetics has shown promising results in restoring vision to individuals affected by retinitis pigmentosa and enhancing cochlear implants for more precise stimulation of the auditory nerve.
The journey towards this groundbreaking discovery began in the early 1990s when Hegemann studied the alga Chlamydomonas’ response to light, leading to the identification of the light-sensitive ion channel channelrhodopsin-2. Subsequent experiments by Nagel demonstrated the application of this protein in generating electrical impulses in human and animal cells using light. Deisseroth further advanced this technique in rat nerve cells, officially coining it as optogenetics in 2006.
The Nobel Prizes for chemistry and physics will be announced in the coming days, followed by literature and peace prizes. The economics laureate will be revealed on October 12. Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prize, designated in his will that his estate should be used to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity.
The Nobel Prizes, established in honor of Alfred Nobel, are presented annually on December 10th, the anniversary of his passing. Nobel, known for his invention of dynamite, was also a multitalented individual with a passion for literature and science, influencing the diverse categories of the prestigious awards.