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Films · Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026 · Optogenetics

Explainer · Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026

A light switch for nerve cells

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A light switch for nerve cells

A light catcher from an alga, built into chosen nerve cells: this is how light switches exactly these cells on and off.

Chapter 1 · An alga sees light

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Series · Episode 1 of 4

A light switch for nerve cells

Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026 · Optogenetics

NewOct 18, 2026 · 4 chapters

An explainer film in four chapters on the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine: how an alga notices light, how its light channel makes a nerve cell fire, how the light hits only one kind of cell, and how the light switch helps blind people today. Pause anywhere and ask.

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  3. Steer itTell it what to show, for example “Do this with z = 2 − 3i”. The film sets up the app and works it out.
  4. Try it yourselfWhile it is paused, drag points and sliders yourself. “Continue” takes you back into the film.

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