2026 Nobel Prize Predictions: Medicine, Physics & Chemistry (EP 60)

<p>Who could win the 2026 Nobel Prizes? From the science behind Ozempic to quantum interference and droplets inside living cells, Lester Nare and Krishna Choudhary make their picks for Medicine, Physics and Chemistry, and explain the discoveries behind them.</p><p><br></p><p>In Episode 60 of From First Principles, we explore seven research areas with a case for Nobel recognition: GLP-1, optogenetics, optical coherence tomography, the Aharonov–Bohm effect, atomic force microscopy, biomolecular condensates and Buchwald–Hartwig coupling. We also discuss Michael Berry’s geometric phase and the awkward question of how a prize limited to three people recognizes discoveries built by larger teams.</p><p><br></p><p>These are our predictions, recorded before the 2026 announcements. Medicine, Physics and Chemistry will be announced October 5–7. Which discovery, and which researchers, would you pick? Tell us in the comments, then join us for our Nobel week breakdowns.</p><p><br></p><p>CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 The science that could win a Nobel Prize</p><p>00:57 Hello Internet: our 2026 predictions</p><p>02:03 Medicine: GLP-1 and the science behind Ozempic</p><p>07:41 Medicine: optogenetics and controlling neurons with light</p><p>13:16 Medicine: optical coherence tomography</p><p>16:28 Golden Goose Awards and FFP updates</p><p>18:39 Physics: the Aharonov–Bohm effect and geometric phase</p><p>27:37 Physics: atomic force microscopy</p><p>32:04 Chemistry: biomolecular condensates</p><p>36:36 Chemistry: Buchwald–Hartwig coupling</p><p>38:42 Your predictions and our Nobel week plans</p><p><br></p><p>RESEARCH &amp; FURTHER READING</p><p>Foundational papers and background for the discoveries discussed:</p><p><br></p><p>GLP-1: Mojsov, Weir &amp; Habener (1987)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI112855</p><p>Optogenetics: Boyden et al. (2005)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1525</p><p>Optical coherence tomography: Huang et al. (1991)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1957169</p><p>Aharonov–Bohm effect (1959)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.115.485</p><p>Berry’s geometric phase (1984)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1984.0023</p><p>Atomic force microscopy: Binnig, Quate &amp; Gerber (1986)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.56.930</p><p>Biomolecular condensates: Brangwynne et al. (2009); Li et al. (2012)</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1172046</p><p>https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10879</p><p>Buchwald–Hartwig coupling: Paul et al. (1994); Guram et al. (1995)</