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Three scientists—Karl Deisseroth from Stanford University, and Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel from Germany—have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work developing optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control brain cells. Their research originated with the study of algae proteins sensitive to light, leading to methods where channelrhodopsin genes are inserted into mammalian neurons to manipulate neural activity through light pulses. The prize is shared equally among them and amounts to approximately $1.74 million Canadian dollars.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 5, 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth (Stanford University), Peter Hegemann (Humboldt University of Berlin), and Georg Nagel (University of Würzburg) for their pioneering work in optogenetics. The trio’s research focused on light-gated ion channels, a technique that allows scientists to control individual nerve cells using light, significantly advancing the field of neuroscience. This groundbreaking method is now used globally to study brain functions and has potential clinical applications, such as restoring sight in visually impaired individuals. Each scientist will receive 12 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million) for their contributions. The prize announcement kicked off Nobel Prize week in Stockholm, with subsequent awards scheduled throughout the week until October 12.
Written for “Nobel Prize Brain Research” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
A discovery that began with algae and turned into a powerful method for investigating the brain is the subject of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
asserted
that → begin → Physiology
On Monday, the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden announced this year’s prize has been has awarded to three scientists, one in the United States and two in Germany, for work leading to the development of the field known as optogenetics.
asserted
prize → announce → optogenetics
Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University, Peter Hegemann of Humboldt University of Berlin and Georg Nagel of the University of Würzburg will share equally in the prize, worth approximately $1.74 million Canadian dollars.
asserted
Deisseroth → share → prize
The story of this year’s medical Nobel begins with Dr. Hegemann, a biophysicist who in the 1980s became fascinated with the ability of pond algae to sense and respond to sunlight.
asserted
who → begin → sunlight
Algae rise or sink depending on the amount of light, and in doing so can regulate photosynthesis.
asserted
Algae → rise → photosynthesis
The phenomenon led to the discovery of a class of proteins called channelrhodopsins, which the algae use to turn light into electrical signals.
asserted
algae → lead → signals
Dr. Hegemann found the underlying gene associated with the protein in algae, which Dr. Nagel was then able to reproduce in frog eggs to study the protein’s function.
asserted
Nagel → find → function
In 2005, Dr. Deisseroth and a colleague in the U.S. showed how a channelrhodopsin gene could be inserted into the DNA of a mammal neuron.
uncertain
gene → show → neuron
This created a brain cell that could be turned on or off with a pulse of light.
uncertain
that → create → light
With that innovation, optogenetics was born.
asserted
optogenetics → bear → innovation
Researchers have now used the technique to understand how the brain is wired, opening a new window into a range of complex neural functions including perception, memory and emotion.
asserted
brain → use → perception
The breakthrough technique has since been widely celebrated.
asserted
technique → celebrate → ?
Monday’s announcement kicks off a week of Nobel prize reveals, with the recipient or recipients of the physics prize to be named on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, literature on Thursday and the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
asserted
announcement → kick → Friday
The prizes were first awarded in 1901, with categories stipulated in the will of Swedish businessman and inventor, Alfred Nobel.
asserted
categories → award → businessman
A sixth prize for economics, added in 1969, is set to be announced on Oct. 12.
asserted
prize → add → Oct.
All the prizes are bestowed annually at a special ceremony held in Stockholm on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
asserted
prizes → bestow → 1896
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