The Science Behind the Nobel-Winning Technology That Controls Neurons With Light
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their development of optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control nerve cells. The breakthrough originated from research on the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas, where scientists identified light-sensitive ion channels known as channelrhodopsins. These discoveries allow for precise mapping of the brain and have significantly advanced the understanding of neurological diseases.
- ▪The Karolinska Institute awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine to researchers from Stanford University, Humboldt University in Berlin, and the University of Würzburg.
- ▪Peter Hegemann discovered that the alga Chlamydomonas generates electrical impulses 20 times faster than the human eye in response to light.
- ▪Georg Nagel verified that specific genes in the alga produce proteins called channelrhodopsins that function as light-gated ion channels.
- ▪Introducing the ChR2 gene into mammalian cells enabled them to generate electrical signals when illuminated, forming the basis of optogenetics.
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| Original publisher | WIRED |
| Canonical URL | https://www.wired.com/story/the-science-behind-the-nobel-winning-technology-that-controls-neurons-with-light/ |
| Publication time | Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:40:00 +0000 |
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Fernanda GonzálezScienceOct 7, 2026 4:40 PMThe Science Behind the Nobel-Winning Technology That Controls Neurons With LightOptogenetics revolutionized neuroscience, but its origins come from an entirely brainless organism—an alga.Nobel Committee Secretary General Thomas Perlmann speaks to the media about this year's laureates—Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel—during the announcement of the winners of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe Karolinska Institute awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine to researchers Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University, Peter Hegemann of Humboldt University in Berlin, and Georg Nagel of the University of…
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