Medicine Nobel goes to scientists who can ‘control brain using light’: What their work is
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel, and Karl Deisseroth for their work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. Their research enables the control of specific nerve cells in the brain using light, influencing memory, feelings, and behavior. This breakthrough has significant implications for neuroscience and mental health treatments.