Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded for Discoveries in Light-Sensitive Ion Channels
World
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The prize recognizes their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.
Their work led to the development of optogenetics, a method that uses light to switch the activity of individual nerve cells on or off in a living brain. According to the Nobel Committee, the technique is now used in laboratories around the world to investigate how the brain works.
Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel studied channelrhodopsin, a protein with unique light-sensitive properties. They found that when the protein was introduced into different types of cells, those cells became responsive to light.
Karl Deisseroth introduced the channelrhodopsin gene into nerve cells in rats. By illuminating the cells with blue light, he was able to trigger a nerve signal. He later demonstrated that this light-controlled “switch” could operate in the brains of living mice.
These discoveries gave rise to optogenetics, which allows researchers to control neural signals using light. The method has become an important tool for studying the brain, including processes associated with memory, feelings and behaviour.
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was the first award announced during this year’s Nobel week. The laureates will share a prize fund of 12 million Swedish kronor.
In 2025, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
Between 1901 and 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded 117 times to a total of 232 laureates. Under the rules of the Nobel Foundation, a prize can be shared by two or three authors when their work is deemed worthy of recognition.
Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel studied channelrhodopsin, a protein with unique light-sensitive properties. They found that when the protein was introduced into different types of cells, those cells became responsive to light.
Karl Deisseroth introduced the channelrhodopsin gene into nerve cells in rats. By illuminating the cells with blue light, he was able to trigger a nerve signal. He later demonstrated that this light-controlled “switch” could operate in the brains of living mice.
These discoveries gave rise to optogenetics, which allows researchers to control neural signals using light. The method has become an important tool for studying the brain, including processes associated with memory, feelings and behaviour.
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was the first award announced during this year’s Nobel week. The laureates will share a prize fund of 12 million Swedish kronor.
In 2025, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
Between 1901 and 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded 117 times to a total of 232 laureates. Under the rules of the Nobel Foundation, a prize can be shared by two or three authors when their work is deemed worthy of recognition.
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