Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They got the award for their work on optogenetics and light-gated ion channels. This technique allows researchers to control nerve-cell activity using light. Many more awards will be announced over the coming days.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to three scientists for their groundbreaking discoveries. Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel contributed significantly to the field of optogenetics and light-gated ion channels. Their work allows researchers to control nerve-cell activity with precision using light technology. The Nobel Prize announcement signifies their impactful role in advancing neuroscience studies.

The Nobel Prize announcements for 2026 have begun, bringing the world's attention to scientists, writers, economists and others whose work has shaped research, society and public life.

The prestigious awards, established from the will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, are being announced across six categories over the course of this week.

The first award of the 2026 Nobel season has gone to three scientists in the field of medicine. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, a technique that allows researchers to control nerve-cell activity using light.

The remaining awards in Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace and Economic Sciences will be announced over the coming days. Here is the full list of the 2026 Nobel laureates, which will be updated as each prize is announced.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel

The three scientists were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

Hegemann and Nagel discovered the light-sensitive protein channelrhodopsin in a single-celled alga. Deisseroth later adapted the protein as a light-controlled switch for nerve cells, laying the foundation for optogenetics. The technique allows researchers to switch individual nerve cells on or off using light and has transformed the study of the brain.

Deisseroth is based at Stanford University in the US, while Hegemann is at Humboldt University in Berlin and Nagel is at the University of Würzburg in Germany.

The Nobel Prize carries a total prize amount of 12 million Swedish kronor, to be shared among the three laureates.

Nobel Prize in Physics 2026To be announced on October 6

The Physics prize will be announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026To be announced on October 7

The Chemistry prize will be announced on Wednesday.

Nobel Prize in Literature 2026To be announced on October 8

The Literature prize will be announced by the Swedish Academy on Thursday.

Nobel Peace Prize 2026To be announced on October 9

The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the Peace Prize on Friday.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2026To be announced on October 12

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel will be announced on Monday, October 12.