The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020 was awarded jointly to Alter, Houghton and Rice for which of the following discoveries?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (D) Identification of Hepatitis C virus.

Explanation:
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020 was awarded to Alter, Houghton, and Rice for their discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, which led to the development of blood tests and antiviral treatments.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

• Mechanisms for autophagy: Awarded in 2016 to Yoshinori Ohsumi.
• Therapy against malaria: Awarded in 2015 to Tu Youyou.
• Molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm: Awarded in 2017 to Hall, Young, and Rosbash.

Information Booster:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV):
  • Discovered by Michael Houghton in 1989.
  • Led to the development of blood tests and direct-acting antiviral drugs.
• Nobel Prize:
  • Established in 1901 by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist and inventor.
  • Awarded annually in 6 categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
• Nobel Laureates 2020:
  • Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice.