A research team led by professor Zhang Hong, part of the Institute of Biophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, won the second-class State Natural Science Award at the 2019 National Science and Technology Award Conference, which was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 10, 2020.

The State Natural Science Award is part of the State Science and Technology Award, which also consists of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Technological Innovation Award, the State Science and Technology Advancement Award, and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

A total of 12 scientific workers and 296 research programs were honored at the conference this year.

Zhang and his research team were awarded for their scientific achievements made in the exploration of the molecular mechanisms of autophagy among multicellular organisms and their ties with the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases.

According to Zhang, his research team has been engaged in the research of autophagy in multicellular organisms for years. Autophagy is an important process for cells to regroup, degrade and be recycled but there have been insufficient studies into it within academic circles.

His team has employed roundworms to build a model for the study of autophagy in multicellular organisms, to find new genes produced by them, and to uncover relevant mechanisms in the autophagy process.

In addition, Zhang and his teammates have developed a 'gene knockout mouse' model to confirm the ties between the functionality of new genes related to autophagy and the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders.

Their research has further deepened public understanding of autophagy, created new frontiers for the research of autophagy in multicellular organisms, and contributed much to the studies of relevant diseases.

A research team led by professor Zhang Hong wins the second-class State Natural Science Award at the 2019 National Science and Technology Award Conference.