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Super X-ray machine wins top science pick
By Cai Wenjun |
April 20, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A "SUPER X-RAY" machine capable of exposing the structure of chemical compounds and proteins, and used to configure the H1N1 swine flu in 2010, won the special prize at Shanghai's annual Science and Technology Awards yesterday.
The Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility uses the state-of-the-art "synchrotrons radiation" technology to create super beams.
Its brightness is hundreds of millions of times greater than a normal X-ray and will be used to study the structure of H7N9 bird flu virus.
Experts have previously used the machine to destructure H1N1 swine flu in 2010 and discovered that H1N1's HA gene was similar to 1918 flu, which explained why the young were more vulnerable to the virus instead of the elderly during the epidemic in 2009.
Knowing the structure of a flu virus is important in the research of vaccine and medicine, experts said.
Since it first became available in May 2009, the super x-ray machines, or SSRF, have become the nation's biggest platform for scientific research and technological development and has been used in 3,614 projects in the fields of information technology, protein research, nanotechnology, life sciences and environmental sciences and new materials research.
A total of 282 people and projects won this year's awards, including nine youngsters for youth outstanding contribution award and the special award.
Awards for both the categories were handed out for the first time to honor young people and projects which made extraordinary breakthrough.
Russian molecular biologist Philipp Khaitovich, American tumor radiotherapist Jay Lu and American scientist Ni Jun, with expertise in manufacturing engineering field, were also among those honored for their contribution to international science and technology cooperation.
Science-related programs were among the top winners this year.
A program promoting health care, led by Dr Yang Binghui, and a science documentary made by the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum won the first prize for scientific development.
Life sciences, new material and industry, intelligent manufacturing and researches were among the other notable winners yesterday.
The Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility uses the state-of-the-art "synchrotrons radiation" technology to create super beams.
Its brightness is hundreds of millions of times greater than a normal X-ray and will be used to study the structure of H7N9 bird flu virus.
Experts have previously used the machine to destructure H1N1 swine flu in 2010 and discovered that H1N1's HA gene was similar to 1918 flu, which explained why the young were more vulnerable to the virus instead of the elderly during the epidemic in 2009.
Knowing the structure of a flu virus is important in the research of vaccine and medicine, experts said.
Since it first became available in May 2009, the super x-ray machines, or SSRF, have become the nation's biggest platform for scientific research and technological development and has been used in 3,614 projects in the fields of information technology, protein research, nanotechnology, life sciences and environmental sciences and new materials research.
A total of 282 people and projects won this year's awards, including nine youngsters for youth outstanding contribution award and the special award.
Awards for both the categories were handed out for the first time to honor young people and projects which made extraordinary breakthrough.
Russian molecular biologist Philipp Khaitovich, American tumor radiotherapist Jay Lu and American scientist Ni Jun, with expertise in manufacturing engineering field, were also among those honored for their contribution to international science and technology cooperation.
Science-related programs were among the top winners this year.
A program promoting health care, led by Dr Yang Binghui, and a science documentary made by the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum won the first prize for scientific development.
Life sciences, new material and industry, intelligent manufacturing and researches were among the other notable winners yesterday.
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