Two French scientists who discovered the AIDS virus and a German who found the virus responsible for cervical cancer have been awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine.

A combination photograph shows(L-R) French virologist Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, French Professor Luc Montagnier and German Professor Harald zur Hausen.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)  

Harald zur Hausen of the University of Dusseldorf has been recognized for discovering that human papilloma viruses cause cervical cancer.

The prize was jointly won by Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for their discovery of the human immuno-deficiency virus.

The award is worth about 1.4 million US dollars. Medicine is traditionally the first of the Nobel prizes awarded each year.

(CCTV October 7, 2008)