Ankara:Three scientists have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work that has significantly advanced the study of the brain. Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel were recognized for their discoveries related to light-gated ion channels and the development of optogenetics, a technique that enables the control of nerve cells using light.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced the award on Monday, highlighting the transformative impact of their discoveries. Optogenetics, pioneered by these scientists, uses light-sensitive proteins to control nerve cell activity, allowing researchers to explore how neural circuits influence memory, emotions, and behavior.

Karl Deisseroth, an American scientist at Stanford University, played a pivotal role in turning channelrhodopsin—a light-sensitive protein discovered by Hegemann and Nagel—into a tool for neuron control. His research demonstrated that neurons containing the protein could be activated with blue light, a technique he successfully applied to living mice.

Peter Hegemann, a German biophysicist from Humboldt University of Berlin, focused on the light-detecting abilities of the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. His work led to the identification of channelrhodopsins, which are proteins that enable cells to respond to light, forming the basis for optogenetic applications.

Georg Nagel, a German biophysicist at the University of Wurzburg, collaborated with Hegemann in showing that channelrhodopsins could trigger electrical changes in cells. This discovery was crucial for the development of optogenetics, providing a new method to study and manipulate neural functions.