Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for optogenetics
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Neutral summary
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University and two German scientists, Peter Hegemann of Humboldt University of Berlin and Georg Nagel of the University of Würzburg. The prize recognizes their discoveries of light-gated ion channels and the creation of optogenetics, a technique that allows researchers to switch neurons on and off in living brains using light. According to media reports, the breakthrough began with studies of the single-celled green alga Chlamydomonas, which swims toward light; Hegemann and Nagel identified a light-sensitive protein in the alga, and Deisseroth applied it to control neurons. The American laureate, who learned of the award early Monday morning, interrupted congratulatory calls to prepare lunch for his children, an episode widely covered by outlets. Scientists say optogenetics opens new possibilities for studying the brain and treating psychiatric and neurological conditions, including depression, autism and Parkinson's disease. Nobel Week began with the announcement of the medicine laureate; winners in other categories are expected to be named in the coming days.
How it was framed
Outlets: 157. Countries: 36. Facts in the shared core: 5.
Publication timeline
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ТАСС (outlet profile)
Нобелевская неделя откроется объявлением лауреата в области медицины
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TASS (англ.) (outlet profile)
Nobel Week to start with announcement of laureate in medicine. The prize winners in other nominations will be announced in the coming days
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Nature (outlet profile)
Medicine Nobel awarded for brain ‘switch’ that controls neurons with light: live updates. Nature, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03091-2 Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel win the…
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Nature (outlet profile)
‘What took them so long?’ This year’s medicine Nobel winner is overdue. Nature, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03094-z Nature’s senior biology reporter Ewen Callaway reflects on today’s prize…
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Handelsblatt (outlet profile)
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Inquirer.net (outlet profile)
The Nobel Prize: Five things to know. STOCKHOLM — Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been awarded to individuals and organizations for work leading to great advances for humanity, in line with the wishes of the pri…
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Известия (outlet profile)
В Швеции стартует Нобелевская неделя. Что нужно знать. В Швеции с 5 по 12 октября пройдет вручение Нобелевской премии в различных номинациях. В 2026 году ее размер вырос до 12 млн шведских крон, или около $1,22 млн за к…
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CNews (outlet profile)
Suède : la saison des Prix Nobel démarre ce lundi à Stockholm avec le Nobel de médecine. La saison des prix Nobel s'ouvre ce lundi 5 octobre à Stockholm, avec la remise du prix de médecine. Suivront dans la semaine les…
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Sud Ouest (outlet profile)
Cinq choses à savoir sur les prix Nobel, attribués à partir de ce lundi. Les prix Nobel sont attribués entre les 5 et 12 octobre à Stockholm et Oslo, avec la médecine qui ouvre le bal ce lundi
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Spektrum (outlet profile)
Nobelpreis für Physiologie oder Medizin 2026: Wer bekommt den Medizin-Nobelpreis?. An wen geht der Nobelpreis für Physiologie oder Medizin 2026? Lesen Sie hier mehr zu den Hintergründen des Preises und sehen Sie die Ver…
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Libération (outlet profile)
Ozempic, Mounjaro… Les travaux concernant les médicaments anti-obésité en lice pour remporter le prix Nobel de médecine ce lundi. Si le comité Nobel décidait ce lundi de plébisciter une autre voie, des recherches sur le…
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BFMTV (outlet profile)
La saison des prix Nobel s'ouvre, les recherches sur les hormones régulant l'appétit favorites pour le prix de médecine. Les lauréats des six prix Nobel vont être dévoilés du 5 au 12 octobre. Le prix de la médecine ouvr…
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Пятый канал (outlet profile)
Снова претендует Трамп? Что известно о Нобелевской неделе 2026. Кто фигурирует в прогнозах и как проходит отбор — рассказали в материале 5-tv.ru.
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Phys.org (outlet profile)
Research into weight-loss drugs tipped for Nobel as award week opens. Research into hormones that regulate appetite is on everybody's lips for the Nobel medicine prize, to be announced on Monday when the 2026 Nobel seas…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
The Nobel Prize week is kicking off in Stockholm with the medicine award. This year’s Nobel Prizes kick off with the awarding of the medicine prize at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm
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ABC News (outlet profile)
The Nobel Prize week is kicking off in Stockholm with the medicine award. This year’s Nobel Prizes kick off with the awarding of the medicine prize at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm
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Onet Wiadomości (outlet profile)
Ogłoszenie laureata Nagrody Nobla w dziedzinie fizjologii lub medycyny. W Sztokholmie rozpoczyna się tydzień przyznawania nagród Nobla za osiągnięcia, które w największym stopniu przysłużyły się ludzkości. W poniedziałe…
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Exame (outlet profile)
Nobel de Medicina 2026 premia Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann e Georg Nagel. Cientistas são reconhecidos por descobertas sobre canais iônicos ativados pela luz e optogenética; prêmio será dividido igualmente entre os tr…
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ТАСС (outlet profile)
Правила и комитеты. Порядок присуждения Нобелевских премий. C 5 по 12 октября в Стокгольме и Осло будут объявлены лауреаты Нобелевских премий
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ТАСС (outlet profile)
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ТАСС (outlet profile)
От инсулина до МРТ. Нобелевская премия по физиологии и медицине. Лауреата премии объявят 5 октября 2026 года в Стокгольме
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Euronews (outlet profile)
Nobel Prize 2026 kicks off: Who will win the medicine award?. The 2026 Nobel Prize season begins with the physiology or medicine award, announced at Stockholm's Karolinska Institute.
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Politika (outlet profile)
Почиње недеља Нобелових награда, познат распоред проглашења лауреата. Највећа неизвесност око награде за мир
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Sciences et Avenir (outlet profile)
DIRECT. Suivez l'annonce du prix Nobel de physiologie ou médecine. Les médicaments anti-obésité comme Ozempic et Mounjaro pourraient-ils conduire leurs pionniers au prix Nobel ? Les travaux sur les hormones régulant la…
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El País (outlet profile)
Directo | Anuncio del Premio Nobel de Medicina o Fisiología de 2026. El Instituto Karolinska de Estocolmo otorga el galardón que reconoce los mejores avances médicos
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Tanjug (outlet profile)
Nedelja Nobelove nagrade počinje u Stokholmu dodelom priznanja za medicinu
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Scientific American (outlet profile)
2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Karl Deisseroth, George Nagel and Peter Hegemann for work on optogenetics. Karl Deisseroth, George Nagel and Peter Hegemann developed optogenetics, which uses light…
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O Globo (outlet profile)
Nobel de Medicina de 2026 é concedido a três pesquisadores por descobertas sobre optogenética. A Assembleia Nobel do Karolinska Institutet concedeu nesta segunda-feira, 5 de outubro, o Prêmio Nobel de Fisiologia ou Medi…
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El Mundo (outlet profile)
Premio Nobel de Medicina para Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann y Georg Nagel por sus descubrimientos en optogenética, que "han abierto una nueva era en Neurociencias". Leer
Factual core
- Optogenetics is a technique that allows controlling neurons with light.
- Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026.
- The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discoveries in optogenetics.
- The Nobel Prize in Medicine was announced on Monday.
- Nobel Prize week begins in Stockholm with the announcement of the medicine award.
In the daily issue: The day in brief — October 5, 2026
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