Americans and Germans awarded 2026 Nobel in Medicine
American Carl Deisseroth and Germans Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2026, in recognition of their research that contributed to developing technology for controlling neural activity using light—particularly through the discovery of ion channels that can be manipulated with light. This breakthrough has paved the way for a deeper understanding of how memories, emotions, and behaviors are formed in the living brain, and has enabled precise activation and inhibition of specific neurons. Presently, this technology is used in laboratories worldwide to study brain functions and related disorders. Their work builds upon discoveries that have advanced the field of optogenetics—the use of light to control cells—offering promising new avenues for treating neurological diseases. The laureates receive a prize worth 12 million Swedish kronor. Other awards in physics, chemistry, literature, and peace will be announced soon, with the Nobel in Economics to be announced on October 12.
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