Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded for advancements in optogenetics

<p>Over decades of research, scientists have built up a partial understanding of the functions of specialized cells within the brain and spinal cord. By studying brain development, researchers identified genes that were active in different populations of neurons and their locations in the brain. In some instances, these genes were utilized to genetically delete neurons, providing insights into their functions, building on information from studies of brains with damaged regions.</p><p>However, this method has limitations. The brain's adaptability may allow it to compensate for the loss of certain cells, and early developmental loss may affect the formation of connections with other neurons. A more informative approach would be to activate and deactivate neurons in an otherwise intact brain.</p><p>The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded today recognizes Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their contributions to this field. Their work, which began with studies of single-celled algae attracted to light, led to the development of optogenetics, a technique that uses light to modify the behavior of nerve cells marked by the activity of specific genes.</p>