D.H. Chen Professor at Stanford, pioneer of optogenetics
Winners have been named in medicine, physics and chemistry, with a total prize pool of 12 million Swedish kronor. Medicine highlights optogenetics; physics advances neutrino research; chemistry recognizes work on mirror-image molecules. The literature prize and economics prize will be awarded later this week and next week respectively.
Three scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering light-gated ion channels and advancing optogenetics. Deisseroth, Hegemann, and Nagel share the prize, reflecting a cross-disciplinary breakthrough that enables precise control of neural activity with light.
The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has awarded the 2026 Physiology or Medicine prize to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries that turned light-sensitive proteins from algae into tools that switch nerve cells on and off. The three researchers will share 12 million Swedish kronor; the prize is opening Nobel week.