Bengaluru, October 13: The Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine 2026 has been awarded jointly to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and George Nagel for their groundbreaking discovery of a light-sensitive protein from algae. This innovation allows scientists to manipulate nerve cells using light, paving the way for advancements in understanding the brain and developing precise treatments for serious diseases.
The technique, known as optogenetics, enables researchers to activate or deactivate specific neurons without affecting others, essentially functioning as a light switch for brain cells. This method could significantly reduce side effects in treatments for severe conditions such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy.
In the realm of Physics, the Nobel Prize has been awarded to Belgian-American scientist Francis Halzen for his research on neutrinos, elusive particles that hold many secrets of the universe. Halzen’s work involved creating a unique system beneath the ice in Antarctica to detect these “ghost particles” by capturing faint blue light emitted when neutrinos collide with ice.
This research marks a significant advancement, as it allows scientists to study neutrinos from beyond our galaxy, providing new insights into cosmic events. According to D. Indumathi from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, this multi-messenger astronomy approach enables the study of cosmic phenomena using various signals, enhancing our understanding of the universe.