Nobel prize in Medicine 2026 awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel
The discovery has helped scientists understand how specific circuits function in the brain. It has also provided clues that could contribute to the treatment of conditions including blindness, depression, addiction and dementia
New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday for their discoveries in neuroscience.
The three scientists were recognized for their research into light-gated ion channels, a type of protein that helped establish the field of opto genetics - a pioneering technique that uses tiny lights to activate specific groups of neurons in the brain. The discovery has helped scientists understand how specific circuits function in the brain. It has also provided clues that could contribute to the treatment of conditions including blindness, depression, addiction and dementia.
How optogenetics changed neuroscience
Deisseroth, Hegemann and Nagel researched light-gated ion channels and their role in controlling neural activity. Their work established optogenetics, which allows researchers to activate discrete groups of neurons in the brain using tiny lights. The technique has helped illuminate how specific neural circuits function.
Other Nobel Prizes schedule
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the first of six Nobel Prizes being awarded this year. Each prize recognizes groundbreaking contributions by an individual or organization in a specific field.
The Nobel Prize in Physics will be awarded on Tuesday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. Last year, John Clarke, Michel H Devoret and John M Martinis shared the prize for work that made the behaviours of the subatomic world observable in a system large enough to see with the naked eye.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be awarded on Wednesday. Last year, the prize went to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi for developing molecular building blocks with spaces large enough for gases and other chemicals to flow through them.
The Nobel Prize in Literature will be awarded on Thursday. Last year, Hungarian novelist Laszlo Krasznahorkai, known for his dystopian themes and relentless prose, received the award.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. Last year, María Corina Machado, who built a powerful social movement in Venezuela, won the award.
Next week, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be awarded on Monday. Last year, Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt were honoured for research explaining the relationship between technological progress and sustained economic growth.