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Scientific breakthroughs are often rooted in early experiences, inspiring mentors, and a lifelong drive to understand the world. The Brain Prize 2026 laureates David Ginty and Patrik Ernfors reflect on the teachers, role models, and moments that guided them towards careers in neuroscience and ultimately to discoveries that transformed our understanding of the somatosensory system and how it enables us to experience touch and pain. Watch the full film and explore the research, discoveries, and people behind The Brain Prize 2026.

Major advances in neuroscience often depend on new technologies that enable new ways of seeing and understanding the nervous system. The Brain Prize 2026 recognizes David Ginty and Patrik Ernfors for pioneering discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the somatosensory system. By combining innovative technologies with fundamental neuroscience, their research revealed the structure, function and organisational principles of the cellular building blocks of the somatosensory system. Their research has laid the foundations for new treatments for disorders of touch and pain based on specific cell types and neural pathways. Watch the full film to learn how technological innovation enabled discoveries that are advancing neuroscience and informing future approaches to the treatment of chronic pain and somatosensory dysfunction.

The somatosensory system enables us to perceive touch, temperature, pain, and other sensory stimuli that are essential for interacting with the world around us. Despite its importance, many aspects of its organization and function remain poorly understood. The Brain Prize 2026 honours David Ginty and Patrik Ernfors for discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying somatosensation, specifically touch and pain. Their pioneering research has established a foundation for investigating somatosensory disorders and developing new approaches to the treatment of chronic pain. Watch the full film to explore the science, discoveries, and research behind The Brain Prize 2026.

Ud fra den nyeste forskning sætter vi fokus på, hvordan livsstil, mentale vaner og målrettet træning kan understøtte hukommelse, opmærksomhed og trivsel – også når vi bliver ældre. Du bliver klogere på udbredte myter om hukommelsestab og får inspiration til små, realistiske ændringer, der kan gøre en stor forskel i hverdagen. På scenen: • Kamilla Miskowiak, professor i psykiatri, klinisk forsker og forfatter til bogen 'Hjernegymnastik' • Asmus Vogel, neuropsykolog, lektor, Hukommelsesklinikken Rigshospitalet • Louise Wolff, moderator, journalist og vært i Go’Morgen Danmark • D. 19. marts 2026 i KOSMOPOL • Pris: 75 kr. • Arrangementet er et samarbejde mellem Lundbeckfonden og Folkeuniversitet i Emdrup.

The review article on the 2026 Brain Prize winners' science is out: The cellular architecture of touch and pain, by Professor Fan Wang (MIT, US)

The film portrays The Brain Prize winners 2026; what they have revealed about the neuroscience of touch and pain. Learn more about the groundbreaking scientific discoveries from Professors David Ginty and Patrik Ernfors in this film, where they are revealed as the winners of The Brain Prize 2026.