{"id":127657,"date":"2026-10-05T17:36:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T12:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=127657"},"modified":"2026-10-05T17:36:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T12:06:22","slug":"nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026, Winners, Optogenetics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026<\/b> has been awarded jointly to <\/span>Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel<\/b> for their <\/span>discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics<\/b>. Their research has transformed the way scientists study the brain by making it possible to control nerve cells using light.<\/span><\/p>\n

The discovery began with research on a tiny single-celled alga and eventually led to a powerful technique for understanding how the brain controls <\/span>memories, emotions, behaviour and bodily functions<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 Winners<\/b><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine<\/b> has been jointly awarded to three scientists:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 Winners<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nobel Laureate<\/b><\/td>\nInstitution<\/b><\/td>\nContribution<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Karl Deisseroth<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stanford University, USA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Developed optogenetics as a method to control nerve cells using light<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Peter Hegemann<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Discovered light-sensitive proteins called channelrhodopsins<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Georg Nagel<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

University of W\u00fcrzburg, Germany<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Helped establish the properties and functioning of channelrhodopsins<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What is Optogenetics?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Optogenetics<\/b> is a technique that combines <\/span>genetics and light<\/b> to control the activity of specific cells, particularly nerve cells.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scientists introduce genes that produce <\/span>light-sensitive proteins<\/b> into selected neurons. When light, usually blue light, is applied, these proteins open or close channels in the cell membrane. This changes the electrical activity of the neurons.<\/span><\/p>\n

In simple terms, <\/span>optogenetics works like a light-controlled switch for nerve cells<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This technique allows researchers to study how particular groups of neurons influence:<\/span><\/p>\n