Science
Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to three scientists for optogenetics research
Their work helped turn light-controlled brain cells into a tool for neuroscience and early treatment tests, including efforts to restore sight in people with retinal disease.
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The essentials of this story
- What happened
- The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for optogenetics research.
- Who is affected
- Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel, and researchers studying brain circuits and vision loss.
- What changes
- The work gives scientists a way to control neural activity with light and is being tested in efforts to restore sight.
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Sources
- Nobel Prize awarded for revealing inner workings of the brain — BBC News — saúde
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Is Awarded for Discoveries in Neuroscience — The New York Times — saúde