STOCKHOLM, October 5: The 2026 Nobel Prize announcements began Monday with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, marking the start of this year’s prestigious awards.
The medicine prize is being announced at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Last year, scientists Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi were honoured for their work on how the immune system distinguishes harmful germs from the body’s own healthy cells.
Their research helped uncover the mechanism known as peripheral immune tolerance, which plays a crucial role in preventing the immune system from attacking the body itself. The findings have been considered important for understanding autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The Nobel announcements will continue throughout the week. The Physics Prize will be announced on Tuesday, followed by the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday and the Literature Prize on Thursday.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday, while the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is scheduled to be announced on October 12.
This year’s Nobel Prize award amount is 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to around USD 1.2 million, for an individual, group of laureates or organisation, depending on the category.
