Discoveries in optogenetics awarded Nobel medicine prize

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”

By Anders Göransson

October 5, 2026 11:50 AM

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”

Optogenetics is a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain.

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Discoveries in optogenetics awarded Nobel medicine prize

Discoveries in optogenetics awarded Nobel medicine prize

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