Rachel V Thomas

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2026 Nobel Medicine Prize Awarded for Discoveries on How Nerve Cells Shape Memory, Feelings and Behaviour

Three scientists from the US and Germany have been awarded the <span>2026 Nobel Prize</span> in Physiology or Medicine for <span>optogenetics</span> — a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviors in the living brain.

The <span>Prize</span> was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, 54, from the US, and Peter Hegemann,71, and Georg Nagel, 73, from Germany, “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics,” the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet said in a statement. A prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor will be shared equally between the laureates, it added.

At the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, in Germany's Frankfurt, Peter and Georg discovered a protein called channelrhodopsin in a single-celled alga. Karl later transformed itinto a light-controlled switch for nerve cells.

The laureates have laid the foundation for a new era in neuroscience, the Nobel Assembly said.

Deisseroth is based at Stanford University in California, while Hegemann is from Humboldt University in Berlin and Nagel from the University of Wurzburg in Germany.

How the brain governs feelings, behaviors and bodily functions has long been a mystery, but optogenetics has fundamentally changed scientists’ understanding of the brain.

“Optogenetics provides opportunities for mapping the brain in a way that we could once only dream of,” said Per Svenningsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine.

In the 20th century, researchers began investigating which areas of the brain affect different functions. However, the methods available at the time could not establish causal relationships. The resulting picture of the brain was like a sketch map, filled with question marks and unknowns. Optogenetics has helped change that.

The discovery began with Hegemann, who wanted to understand how <em>Chlamydomonas</em>, a single-celled alga, swims towards a light source.

In the early 2000s, Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, an algal protein with unique properties found on the surface of the cell.

They found that when exposed to blue light, a channel opens through the protein, allowing charged ions to flow into the cell and create an electrical impulse. They also found that when the protein was introduced into other cells, those cells became sensitive to light.

<h2>How Did Deisseroth Transform the Discovery?</h2>

Deisseroth then introduced the gene for channelrhodopsin into nerve cells from rats. By illuminating the cells with blue light, he was able to trigger a nerve signal.

He published this breakthrough in 2005. Two years later, he demonstrated that the light-controlled switch could work in the brains of living mice.

This method of controlling nerve signals with light is now known as optogenetics and has rapidly gained global impact.

Using optogenetics, researchers have been able to reveal neural circuits involved in specific memories, feelings and behaviours relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders.

In clinical medicine, researchers are also using the method in attempts to restore sight in people with visual impairment.

<h2>All About the <span rel="noindex">Nobel Prize</span></h2>

The Nobel Prize was first awarded on December 10, 1901, following the will of founder Alfred Nobel, which he signed in Paris in 1895.

So far, 116 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been awarded. The youngest medicine laureate was Frederick G. Banting, who was 31 when he received the award in 1923. The oldest was Peyton Rous, who was 87 when he received the award in 1966.

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Three scientists from the US and Germany have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for optogenetics — a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviors in the living brain.The Prize was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, 54, from the US, and Peter Hegemann,71, and Georg Nagel, 73, from Germany, “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics,” the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet said in a statement. A prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor will be shared equally between the laureates, it added.At the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, in Germany's Frankfurt, Peter and Georg discovered a protein called channelrhodopsin in a single-celled alga. Karl later transformed itinto a light-controlled switch for nerve cells.The laureates have laid the foundation for a new era in neuroscience, the Nobel Assembly said.Deisseroth is based at Stanford University in California, while Hegemann is from Humboldt University in Berlin and Nagel from the University of Wurzburg in Germany.What Did Their Findings Show?How the brain governs feelings, behaviors and bodily functions has long been a mystery, but optogenetics has fundamentally changed scientists’ understanding of the brain.“Optogenetics provides opportunities for mapping the brain in a way that we could once only dream of,” said Per Svenningsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine.In the 20th century, researchers began investigating which areas of the brain affect different functions. However, the methods available at the time could not establish causal relationships. The resulting picture of the brain was like a sketch map, filled with question marks and unknowns. Optogenetics has helped change that.How Did Optogenetics Begin?The discovery began with Hegemann, who wanted to understand how Chlamydomonas, a single-celled alga, swims towards a light source.In the early 2000s, Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, an algal protein with unique properties found on the surface of the cell.They found that when exposed to blue light, a channel opens through the protein, allowing charged ions to flow into the cell and create an electrical impulse. They also found that when the protein was introduced into other cells, those cells became sensitive to light.How Did Deisseroth Transform the Discovery?Deisseroth then introduced the gene for channelrhodopsin into nerve cells from rats. By illuminating the cells with blue light, he was able to trigger a nerve signal.He published this breakthrough in 2005. Two years later, he demonstrated that the light-controlled switch could work in the brains of living mice.This method of controlling nerve signals with light is now known as optogenetics and has rapidly gained global impact.Using optogenetics, researchers have been able to reveal neural circuits involved in specific memories, feelings and behaviours relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders.In clinical medicine, researchers are also using the method in attempts to restore sight in people with visual impairment.All About the Nobel PrizeThe Nobel Prize was first awarded on December 10, 1901, following the will of founder Alfred Nobel, which he signed in Paris in 1895.So far, 116 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been awarded. The youngest medicine laureate was Frederick G. Banting, who was 31 when he received the award in 1923. The oldest was Peyton Rous, who was 87 when he received the award in 1966.

2026 nobel medicine prize awarded for discoveries on how nerve cells shape memory, feelings and behaviour

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2026 Nobel Medicine Prize Awarded for Discoveries on How Nerve Cells Shape Memory, Feelings and Behaviour

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