Nobel Prize awarded for showing how nerve cells shape feelings

US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and his German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded for their work.

Coverage from 2 publishers 2 source reports

BBCNew Scientist

Nobel Prize awarded for showing how nerve cells shape feelings

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The 2026 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine has gone to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for the development of techniques for controlling brain cells with light

Event intelligence

2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded for optogenetics research

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Current state

On 5 October 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth of the United States and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries concerning optogenetics and light-gated ion channels; the three laureates will share a 12 million Swedish kronor prize.

Grounded in 4 reports across 4 sources

In this event US scientist’s children erupt in joy after hearing he won Nobel Earlier coverage Nobel prize in medicine 2026: unlocking the mysteries of the brain Earlier coverage

Source coverage

Source reports

BBC Published 5 October 2026

Nobel Prize awarded for showing how nerve cells shape feelings

New Scientist Published 5 October 2026

Nobel prize for medicine goes to trio who developed optogenetics

The 2026 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine has gone to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for the development of techniques for controlling brain cells with light

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