Nobel Prize announcement
Carl Deisseroth, Peter Hagemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the year 2026. The Nobel Assembly of the Karolinska Institutet made the announcement on Monday, October 5. These three scientists have been given this prestigious award for their important research related to 'Light-gated ion channels' and 'Optogenetics'. His work laid the foundation for optogenetics technology, a new method of controlling nerve cells through light. This technique has helped scientists understand how particular circuits in the brain influence our memories, emotions, and behavior.
Definition of optogenetics
This important discovery began with the research done by Hagemann and Nagel on a single-celled alga called 'Chlamydomonas'. He discovered a protein called 'channelrhodopsin' on the surface of the algae. When blue light is shined on it, this protein opens a channel, allowing charged particles to flow in and generate an electrical signal. Next, Deisseroth inserted the channelrhodopsin gene into the nerve cells of mice. Through blue light, they could activate nerve signals. They published this discovery in 2005 and two years later showed that this technique could also be effective in the brains of living mice. Optogenetics has helped researchers activate specific nerve cells and study their role. Additionally, it is also being used in efforts to restore vision in people with visual impairments.
Importance of Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is one of the original Nobel Prizes, established in the will of Alfred Nobel. This award has been given since 1901 for discoveries that are considered to have made significant contributions to humanity. The 2026 prize consists of a sum of Rs 11,50,00,000, which will be divided equally among the three winners.