Stockholm:American scientist Karl Deisseroth and German researchers Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

According to Emirates News Agency, the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced that the trio's discoveries have been instrumental in developing optogenetics, a technique that uses light to manipulate nerve-cell activity. This advancement allows scientists to explore how nerve cells contribute to memory, emotions, and behavior in living brains.

Optogenetics is now a vital tool in laboratories worldwide, facilitating significant insights into brain function by enabling researchers to activate or deactivate specific nerve cells. As the first Nobel Prize announcement of the year, the award includes a monetary prize of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately US$1.2 million.