Rice and colleagues constructed a viral RNA genome with the 3’ region and a consensus region to exclude potential inactivating mutations, which was then injected into the liver of chimps. That RNA, specifically encoded for the Hepatitis C virus (HVC), established a productive infection, and a clinical hepatitis resulted. Infectious virus was found in chimps' blood for several months from this "non mutation prone and ultrapure" RNA genome, which coded bonafide virus and also provoked the specifically expected antibody response. 

In 2020 Rice shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Harvey J. Alter and Michael Houghton  "for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus."

Order of authorship in the original publication:  Kolyphalov, Agapov..., Rice.

(Thanks to Juan Weiss for this reference and its interpretation.)