Scientists Earn Nobel For Controlling Brain Cells With Light

Clear Facts

• Three scientists received the Nobel Prize in medicine for developing optogenetics, a technique that uses light to turn brain cells on and off.
• The work began with research on green algae and led to a method that lets researchers study specific brain circuits in living animals.
• Early medical trials have shown potential for restoring vision and treating conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.

Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University, Peter Hegemann of Humboldt University of Berlin, and Georg Nagel of the University of Würzburg shared the Nobel Prize in medicine for their work on optogenetics. Their research allows scientists to control nerve cells with light.

The breakthrough started with simple green algae. Hegemann and Nagel identified a protein in pond scum that opens like a gate when exposed to light. Deisseroth then applied that protein to rat brain cells, making them respond to blue light.

The technique has become a powerful research tool. Scientists now use it to study how specific brain circuits affect fear, memory, hunger, addiction, sleep, and depression. Labs worldwide have adopted the method to examine disease mechanisms.

“Optogenetics is an engine for discovery,” Deisseroth said.

Deisseroth explained that once researchers identify the cells responsible for a symptom, they can develop treatments that target those cells directly. He noted this approach could lead to new medications and other therapies.

“Once you know the cells that are causal, that actually matter for a symptom or for correcting a symptom, you can devise medications or other methods that target those cells,” Deisseroth said.

Deisseroth received the news late at night while working on papers. The call came just as he was falling asleep. He said he lost the ability to form words for about thirty seconds. When asked how he planned to celebrate, he replied simply, “Get back to work.”

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