Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their research into light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. The Nobel committee stated that this research is now being used in laboratories around the world to reveal the brain’s mysteries.
The Nobel Assembly announced the award on Monday. The prize money amounts to 12 million Swedish kronor, which equates to about $1.2 million.
The Nobel Assembly noted that Karl Deisseroth, who is 54 years old, is based at Stanford University in California. Peter Hegemann, aged 71, maintains his base at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Georg Nagel, who is 73, is affiliated with the University of Wurzburg in Germany. The announcement of the prize took place at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
The Nobel Assembly confirmed that the Physics prize will be announced on Tuesday. Following this, the Chemistry prize is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Literature prize will follow on Thursday. Finally, the Peace prize will be awarded on Friday.
