Three scientists win Nobel Prize in medicine for optogenetics research

The short version

• The Nobel Assembly awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.[Deutsche Welle · STAT]
• Deisseroth is based at Stanford University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the United States, while Hegemann works at Humboldt University of Berlin and Nagel at the University of Würzburg in Germany.[Hacker News · NPR · The Washington Post]
• The laureates will share an award fund of 12 million Swedish kronor, valued at approximately $1.2 million.[Deutsche Welle · NPR]
• The Nobel Committee stated that the optogenetics method is now utilized across laboratories worldwide to investigate the mysteries of the brain.[NPR]

Key facts

• The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded on October 5, 2026, to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel.[Deutsche Welle · Hacker News · NPR]
• The prize honors the trio's discoveries regarding light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.[Deutsche Welle · The Guardian · STAT]
• Deisseroth is affiliated with Stanford University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Hegemann with Humboldt University of Berlin, and Nagel with the University of Würzburg.[Hacker News · The Guardian · The Washington Post]
• The prize money totals 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to roughly $1.2 million.[Deutsche Welle · Hacker News · NPR]
• The award marks the 117th presentation of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• German and US scientists win Nobel Prize in medicineDeutsche Welle
• Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for research into brain activityNPR - Top News
• Nobel for medicine awarded to 3 scientists for work that helps map the brainThe Washington Post - World metered
• Press Release: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026Hacker News
• 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for brain research tool called optogeneticsSTAT metered
• Nobel prize in medicine 2026 awarded for research on mysteries of brainThe Guardian - World
• 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Georg Nagel and Peter Hegemann for work on optogeneticsScientific American metered
• German and US scientists win Nobel Prize in medicine for research on brain activityDeutsche Welle
• 🔴 Nobel Prize in Medicine jointly awarded to ​Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann ​and Georg NagelFrance 24
• Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for research into brain activityAssociated Press
• Nobel Prize awarded for showing inner workings of the brainBBC News - Health
• Nobel medicine prize honours US and German scientists for optogenetics workAl Jazeera
• California scientist wins a Nobel Prize, then makes school lunches for his kidsAssociated Press
• California scientist wins a Nobel Prize, then makes school lunches for his kidsABC News - Technology
• Switching on brain cells: the Nobel-winning science of optogeneticsFrance 24
• The Science Behind the Nobel-Winning Technology That Controls Neurons With LightWired metered