Deisseroth, Hegemann and Nagel win 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine

The winners of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine have been announced.

According to Report, the prize has been awarded to American scientist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel.

They received the award for their discoveries related to light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

Karl Deisseroth was born in the United States in 1971. He is a professor at Stanford University and one of the leading scientists who contributed to the development of optogenetics.

Peter Hegemann was born in Germany in 1954. The biophysicist is known for his major contribution to the discovery of light-sensitive ion channels, particularly channelrhodopsins.

Georg Nagel was born in Germany in 1953. Also a biophysicist, he made important contributions together with Hegemann to research into light-gated channelrhodopsins.

The announcement marks the start of Nobel Week. The Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced on October 6, followed by Chemistry on October 7, Literature on October 8 and the Nobel Peace Prize on October 9.

The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on October 12.