Scientists Deisseroth, Hegemann, and Nagel Win Nobel Prize

Karl Deisseroth, a 55-year-old professor at Stanford University and investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, along with German scientists Peter Hegemann, 72, from Humboldt University in Berlin, and Georg Nagel, 73, from the University of Würzburg, were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They were recognized for their pioneering discoveries related to light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, which allow scientists to control specific cells in the brain using light.

Their research focused on light-sensitive proteins called rhodopsins, which enable the manipulation of nerve cells through genetic engineering. This technique allows researchers to turn neurons on or off with light pulses, providing a precise method for studying brain activity and behavior.

The foundational research began with Hegemann and Nagel's studies on single-celled algae, leading to the discovery of channelrhodopsin. Deisseroth further developed this into a practical neuroscience tool, making optogenetics a crucial advancement in understanding the complex functions of the human brain.