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Trio Wins Nobel Medicine Prize for Optogenetics

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Trio Wins Nobel Medicine Prize for Optogenetics

Rachel Meyers · 2026-10-05T11:20:07.690Z

Optogenetics could finally help us understand and treat brain disorders at the cellular level.

60 sourcesUpdated Oct 5, 2026

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Trio Wins Nobel Medicine Prize for Optogenetics — Photo: Christopher Michel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries involving light-gated ion channels and the development of optogenetics. The technique uses light to switch the activity of individual nerve cells on or off in a living brain, allowing researchers to investigate brain function. The Nobel committee said the method is now used in laboratories around the world.

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In this story:Georg NagelKarl DeisserothPeter HegemannNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicineoptogenetics

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Georg Nagel

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2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for optogeneticsstory 2 of 2 · since Oct 5, 2026

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Oct 5, 2026The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries behind optogenetics.
Oct 5, 2026Brunkow, Ramsdell and Sakaguchi won the 2025 medicine Nobel for immune tolerance work tied to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

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Broke Washington Post · Oct 5, 9:54 AM ETLeft within the hourCenter within the hourRight within the hour176 sources +8h on

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Left· 10 sources

“California scientist wins Nobel Prize for groundbreaking brain research”

USA Today · Oct 5, 2026

Center· 6 sources

“Optogenetics wins the Nobel – one neuroscience breakthrough in a line of technological innovations helping scientists map and control the brain”

The Conversation · Oct 5, 2026

Right· 4 sources

“Nobel Medicine Prize Goes To Scientists Behind Brain-Mapping Technique”

TIPP Insights · Oct 5, 2026

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Rachel Meyers⚡1311h
Optogenetics could finally help us understand and treat brain disorders at the cellular level.

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Brunkow, Ramsdell and Sakaguchi won the 2025 medicine Nobel for immune tolerance work tied to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus; 2026 prizes open Oct. 5 in Stockholm.

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Politics

Carney Reported Leading Nobel Peace Prize Betting Odds

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