Science & Space
Nobel medicine prize goes to optogenetics trio
The 2026 Nobel medicine prize was awarded on October 5 to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their work in optogenetics.
The Nobel Assembly said optogenetics is “a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain.”
The medicine award opened the 2026 Nobel Prize announcements, which are scheduled to continue through October 12 with prizes in physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics.
The Nobel prizes have been awarded since 1901 to people and organisations whose work is judged to have advanced humanity, in line with the wishes of inventor Alfred Nobel.
Update
Karl Deisseroth was identified as a US psychiatrist and neurologist.
Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel were identified as German colleagues of Deisseroth.
The prize was awarded for work in optogenetics.
The Nobel Assembly described optogenetics as a method for showing how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 October 2026 at 09:40:10 UTC.
Update
The Nobel medicine prize was awarded to Karl Deisseroth of the United States, Peter Hegemann of Germany and Georg Nagel of Germany.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 October 2026 at 09:33:55 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .