Dr Deisseroth focused on microbial light-activated proteins such as channelrhodoposin of green algae and was a pioneer in ‘optogenetics’ — a new methodological discipline in which neurons can be activated or inhibited on the millisecond scale using light. This achievement has revolutionised the field of systems neuroscience, enabling causal study of neuronal assembly activity and resulting function. He is the youngest laureate ever in the history of the Kyoto Prize.
Kyoto Prize award category: Advanced Technology — Biotechnology and Medical Technology