Shaw Prize given to three European scientists for work on controlling neurons
- Trio’s research focuses on optogentics – technology that can visualise and precisely control specific neural networks in the brain
- Their findings could help treat mood disorders, drug addiction and paralysis
Three European scientists are among this year’s recipients of Hong Kong’s Shaw Prize for their development of a technology that could help treat mood disorders, addicts quit drugs and paralysed people to walk again by controlling neurons.
The trio are Gero Miesenbock, director of the centre for neural circuits and behaviour at the University of Oxford, Peter Hegemann, head of the department of biophysics at Humboldt University of Berlin, and Georg Nagel, professor of molecular plant-physiology at the University of Wurzburg.
They were honoured for their findings in optogentics – a neuroscience technology that can visualise and precisely control specific neural networks in the brain.
The annual Shaw Prize, founded by the late Hong Kong philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw in 2002, is awarded in the categories of astronomy, mathematical sciences, and life science and medicine. Each carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million (HK$9.3 million).
The presentation ceremony has been postponed to next year because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the first delay since the prize was established.
