Georg Nagel, a physiologist from Würzburg, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his fundamental research into optogenetics. This was announced by the Swedish Nobel Assembly on Monday.
Optogenetics makes it possible to precisely control the activity of nerve cells using light. Georg Nagel will share the prize money of around one million euros with the two basic researchers Peter Hegemann and Karl Deisseroth .
The news was met with great enthusiasm at the University of Würzburg: "On behalf of JMU, I would like to congratulate our 15th Nobel Laureate wholeheartedly on this prestigious award," said University President Paul Pauli. "Just two years ago, we awarded Georg Nagel the JMU Röntgen Medal in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements. Even before that, he and his fellow researchers had received numerous internationally renowned prizes."
