Ukr.Biochem.J. 2024; Volume 96, Issue 6, Nov-Dec, pp. 90-96
doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/ubj96.06.090
Rita Levi-Montalcini: a remarkable genius who inspires generations
M. V. Grigorieva*, V. M. Danilova, S. V. Komisarenko
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: mvgrigorieva@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 22 October 2024; Revised: 14 November 2024;
Accepted: 21 November 2024; Available on-line: 17 December 2024
Rita Levi-Montalcini, a renowned neuroscientist and brilliant scientist, left an unforgettable mark on science. She made history not only through her groundbreaking research but also as a figure with a unique and extraordinary life journey. Her courage, perseverance, and determination inspire new generations of scientists and individuals. Rita Levi-Montalcini became a symbol of success in a scientific world dominated by men. In 1986, her collaborative work with biochemist Stanley Cohen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research on “growth factors,” namely nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). This discovery fundamentally changed our understanding of nervous system development and laid the foundation for understanding many neurological diseases.
Keywords: nerve growth factors (NGF), neurological diseases, Nobel Prize, Rita Levi-Montalcini, scientific legacy
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