Three scientists were awarded the 2022 Future Science Prize on Sunday. It is the first Chinese non-governmental science award jointly initiated by groups of scientists and entrepreneurs.

Li Wenhui, a professor at Tsinghua University, won the prize in life sciences for discovering hepatitis B and D virus receptor, called sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, a carrier protein playing crucial role in certain circulation of bile acids. The discovery can help develop more effective drugs to treat hepatitis B and D.

Yang Xueming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emerged on the top in the physical sciences category. He developed a new-generation scientific instrument to reveal quantum resonances and geometric phase effects in chemical reactions. His new invention is a valuable tool to further expand and deepen the research in the field of chemical kinetics.

Ngaiming Mok, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, won the prize in mathematics and computer science for developing the theory of Varieties of Minimal Rational Tangents in algebraic geometry to solve several long-standing problems and proving Ax-Schanuel's conjecture for Shimura varieties. His theory also plays an indispensable role in algebraic geometry.

Founded in 2016, the Future Science Prize aims to push forward research in basic science. It awards scientists who have made significant research achievements in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Twenty-seven scientists including famous agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, physicist Xue Qikun and biologist Shi Yigong have been awarded the prize in the past.

(With input from Xinhua)