Three scientists from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have been awarded the 2003 State Natural Science Award (SNSA), second class.

The three scientists presented their research results on Tuesday at a press briefing.

Head of the Department of Biochemistry Nancy Ip was presented the SNSA for her discovery of novel signaling mechanisms at the neuromuscular synapse.

As introduced by Ip, synapses are the sites of communication between nerve cells or between nerve cells and target cells. Ip and her research team have identified the unexpected roles of two key molecules at the neuromuscular synapse, namely cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and EphA4.

Ip said that the identification of novel molecular players at the neuromuscular synapse provides insights into the signaling mechanisms underlying synapse formation, which may be relevant in the design of therapeutic agents for nerve-muscle disorders.

Associate Professor of Physics Tang Zikang and his colleague Professor George Wong were honored for developing room-temperature ultraviolet-emitting laser from a thin film of nano-structured semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO).

According to Tang, their discovery has stimulated worldwide interest in ZnO research, opened up potential applications for ZnO semiconductors in UV laser diodes as well as semiconductor white light sources.

Tang said that semiconductor white light sources are expected to be applied in different aspects such as domestic light, street light and traffic light, due to the energy-saving and long-life characteristics.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2004)