Rita Levi Montalcini

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25 Mar 2024

Rita Levi Montalcini

Rita Levi-Montalcini was a prominent Italian neurobiologist known for her groundbreaking work on nerve growth factor , which earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, shared with her colleague Stanley Cohen. Born on April 22, 1909, in Italy, Levi-Montalcini made significant contributions to the understanding of how nerve cells develop and function.
In addition to her scientific achievements, Levi-Montalcini was also recognized for her service to Italy. From 2001 until her passing on December 30, 2012, she served as a Senator for Life in the Italian Senate, an honor bestowed upon her in recognition of her remarkable scientific contributions. Her longevity and continued dedication to her field were remarkable, as she became the first Nobel laureate to reach the age of 100 in 2009, celebrated with a special event at Rome's City Hall.Throughout her life, Rita Levi-Montalcini's work and advocacy left a lasting impact on the field of neuroscience and earned her widespread admiration and respect both within Italy and internationally.

Rita Levi-Montalcini was born on April 22, 1909, in Turin, Italy, to Italian Jewish parents who could trace their roots back to the Roman Empire. She was the youngest of four children, born alongside her twin sister Paola. Her mother, Adele Montalcini, was a painter, while her father, Adamo Levi, was an electrical engineer and mathematician. Both families had settled in Turin from other Italian cities at the beginning of the twentieth century.
During her teenage years, Levi-Montalcini initially considered pursuing a career in writing, inspired by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf. However, her aspirations shifted after witnessing a family friend's battle with stomach cancer. Motivated by this experience, she decided to enroll at the University of Turin Medical School. Despite her father's initial reservations about her pursuing higher education, fearing it would interfere with her future roles as a wife and mother, he eventually supported her decision to study medicine.

At the University of Turin, Levi-Montalcini's interest in the developing nervous system was sparked by the neurohistologist Giuseppe Levi. After graduating with top honors in 1936, she continued her studies at the university as Levi's assistant. However, her academic career was abruptly halted by the rise of fascism in Italy and the implementation of racial laws by Benito Mussolini's regime in 1938, which barred Jews from pursuing academic and professional careers.Rita Levi-Montalcini faced challenges during her academic career due to the racial laws passed in Italy in 1938, which barred Jews from university positions. Despite losing her assistant position in the anatomy department, she persisted in her scientific pursuits. During World War II, she set up a laboratory in her bedroom in Turin, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the growth of nerve fibers in chicken embryos. This research laid the foundation for much of her later work.

During the German occupation of Italy, Levi-Montalcini and her family survived the Holocaust by hiding under false identities in Florence, protected by non-Jewish friends. Following the liberation of Florence in 1944, she volunteered her medical expertise for the Allied health service, and her family returned to Turin in 1945.
In 1946, Levi-Montalcini was granted a research fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, where she began her pioneering work on nerve growth factor . Collaborating with Hertha Meyer, she isolated NGF from observations of certain cancerous tissues, leading to a breakthrough discovery in 1952. This research opened new avenues in understanding the biological mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation.

Levi-Montalcini's contributions to neuroscience continued throughout her career. She established laboratories in both St. Louis and Rome, and her work earned her numerous accolades, including the Max Weinstein Award in 1963. She founded the European Brain Research Institute in 2002 and served as its president. However, her involvement with the Italian pharmaceutical company Fidia sparked controversy, as it was revealed that she had supported the drug Cronassial, which later faced safety concerns.
Despite these controversies, Levi-Montalcini's contributions to science were significant and enduring. She was one of the first scientists to highlight the importance of mast cells in human pathology and identified palmitoylethanolamide as an important modulator of mast cell function. Her pioneering research on NGF earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, alongside Stanley Cohen, and cemented her legacy as a trailblazing neurobiologist.

Rita Levi-Montalcini came from a family with diverse talents and backgrounds. Her father, Adamo Levi, was an electrical engineer and mathematician, while her mother, Adele Montalcini, was a painter. Despite their Jewish roots dating back to the Roman Empire, Levi-Montalcini's father held traditional views and initially opposed women attending college, fearing it would interfere with their domestic duties.
Levi-Montalcini had siblings who also made notable contributions in their respective fields. Her older brother, Gino, was a renowned architect and professor at the University of Turin. She also had two sisters: Anna, who was five years older than her, and Paola, her twin sister, who was a celebrated artist.

Throughout her life, Levi-Montalcini remained unmarried and had no children. She expressed contentment with her life choices, stating that she never felt lonely and found fulfillment in her work, relationships, and interests. In 2003, Levi-Montalcini filed a defamation lawsuit against Beppe Grillo after he made derogatory remarks about her during a show. Despite facing such challenges, Levi-Montalcini remained resilient and focused on her scientific pursuits.
Her death in December 2012 at the age of 103 was mourned by many, with tributes pouring in from various quarters. Political leaders, scientists, and cultural figures praised her remarkable achievements, describing her as an inspiration and a symbol of dedication to research and humanity.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Levi-Montalcini was involved in cultural events organized by the main Italian Masonic organization, as mentioned by the former President of the Grand Orient of Italy. This aspect of her involvement highlights her diverse interests and engagements beyond her scientific endeavors.
Rita Levi-Montalcini's appointment as Senator for Life by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on August 1, 2001, marked a significant recognition of her contributions to Italian society and her standing in the scientific community.Despite her advanced age, Levi-Montalcini remained active in public life and politics. At the age of 97, she attended the opening assembly of the newly elected Senate on April 28–29, 2006. During this event, she openly declared her support for Franco Marini, the center-left candidate for the presidency of the Senate.

Her political stance and support for the government of Romano Prodi drew criticism from some right-wing senators, who accused her of influencing and potentially saving the government when its majority in the Senate was fragile. This criticism included mocking remarks about her age from far-right politician Francesco Storace.
Levi-Montalcini's involvement in political matters reflected her ongoing commitment to social and civic issues, even in her later years. Despite facing criticism and opposition, she continued to lend her voice and support to causes she believed in, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to public service and advocacy.