From TIME · Connor Greene · · 1m 30s
Three neuroscientists win 2026 Nobel Prize in medicine
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel are awarded for optogenetics, a technique using light to map and control brain cells.
In brief
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel are awarded for optogenetics, a technique using light to map and control brain cells. Three scientists won the 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for developing optogenetics, which uses light to study and control how brain cells work. Originally reported by TIME.
Nobel Prize week begins
The Nobel committees announced the 2026 winners on Monday, starting with physiology or medicine. Announcements continue through October twelve across six fields.
Three scientists win medicine prize
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel won for optogenetics, a method using light to determine how brain cells operate and control those processes.
Who are the laureates
Hegemann is a biophysics professor at Humboldt University in Berlin. Nagel teaches plant physiology at the University of Wurzburg in Germany. Deisseroth is a behavioral sciences professor at Stanford University.
What optogenetics enables
The technique allows researchers to discover which nerve cells in the brain control different functions like pain, social behavior, thirst, hunger, reward and attention.
“Optogenetics provides opportunities for mapping the brain in a way that we could once only dream of.”
Winners react to the honor
Nagel said he was very surprised and thought it was too early for the prize. Hegemann said he was overwhelmed. Deisseroth said he couldn't be happier.
Prize details and ceremonies
Winners receive a diploma, medal and twelve million Swedish kroner, roughly one point two million dollars. Award ceremonies take place in Stockholm and Oslo in December.
In short
Three scientists won the 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for developing optogenetics, which uses light to study and control how brain cells work.
