Born: 1909 (Turin, Italy)
Died: 2012
Biography:
Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian neurobiologist born on April 22, 1909, in Turin. She came from a family of Italian Jews with roots dating back to the Roman Empire. Levi-Montalcini, along with her twin sister Paola, was the youngest of four children. Her parents, Adele Montalcini and Adamo Levi, hailed from Asti and Casale Monferrato and had moved to Turin at the start of the twentieth century.
In her adolescence, Levi-Montalcini contemplated a career as a writer and held admiration for Swedish writer Selma Lagerlöf. However, witnessing a close family friend succumb to stomach cancer compelled her to enroll in the University of Turin Medical School. Initially, her father discouraged higher education for his daughters, concerned that it would hinder their prospects as wives and mothers. Eventually, though, he supported Levi-Montalcini’s ambition to become a doctor.
During her time at the University of Turin, Levi-Montalcini drew inspiration from the neurohistologist Giuseppe Levi, who ignited her interest in the developing nervous system. She graduated with a summa cum laude M.D. in 1936 and continued to work alongside Levi as his assistant. However, her academic aspirations were cut short when Benito Mussolini’s 1938 Manifesto of Race enforced laws that barred Jews from pursuing academic and professional careers.
Undeterred by these discriminatory measures, Levi-Montalcini established a laboratory in her bedroom in Turin during World War II. There, she conducted research on the growth of nerve fibers in chicken embryos. In a groundbreaking discovery, she found that nerve cells perish when deprived of targets. This early research laid the foundation for much of her later work. The documentary film Death by Design/The Life and Times of Life and Times (1997) showcases Levi-Montalcini’s account of her wartime experiences. The film also features her fraternal twin sister Paola, an accomplished artist renowned for her reflective aluminum sculptures designed to illuminate rooms.
In September 1943, when the Germans invaded Italy, Levi-Montalcini and her family sought refuge in Florence. Living under false identities, they managed to survive the Holocaust. Despite the challenges she faced during this period, Levi-Montalcini’s scientific passion remained undiminished.
Levi-Montalcini’s most significant contribution to the field of neuroscience came with her discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF) alongside her colleague Stanley Cohen. For this groundbreaking achievement, she was honored with the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. NGF plays a crucial role in the growth and survival of nerve cells, and their discovery revolutionized our understanding of the nervous system.
In addition to her notable scientific accomplishments, Levi-Montalcini was also dedicated to public service. From 2001 until her death on December 30, 2012, she served as a Senator for Life in the Italian Senate. This prestigious position, granted in recognition of her outstanding scientific contributions, exemplified her commitment to the betterment of society.
Levi-Montalcini made history on her 100th birthday, becoming the first Nobel laureate to reach such an age. Rome’s City Hall celebrated this remarkable milestone with a grand party held in her honor on April 22, 2009.
Rita Levi-Montalcini’s life and work serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of scientific inquiry, determination, and resilience. Her research advancements, coupled with her dedicated service to society, have left an indelible mark on the field of neurobiology and continue to inspire future generations of scientists. She remains an iconic figure in both women’s history and the annals of scientific discovery.