RITA LEVI-MONTALCINI

In 1986, neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for her discovery of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). However, alongside this honor lay a deep dissatisfaction: her revolutionary scientific discovery had yet to find a concrete clinical application.

Back in Italy, during a concert by young musicians in Turin, Rita witnessed an episode where young violinist Elena Capriotti suffered from a sudden blurring of vision. Moved by the incident, she decided to intervene and entrusted the girl to the care of ophthalmologist Poli-Richter and his promising student Lamberti. The diagnosis was dire: a rare corneal neuropathy was progressively impairing Elena's vision, threatening to lead her to total blindness.

Thus began an inner and scientific journey for Rita. Among childhood memories, entering university in the 1930s, racial persecutions, clandestine research during Fascism, and her long exile, the scientist recalled her path marked by a passion for knowledge and the fear of not being able to alleviate human suffering.

Overwhelmed by letters from patients and families seeking miracles, Rita felt powerless until an insight, sparked by a teaching from her mentor Giuseppe Levi, urged her to return to the laboratory, supported by colleagues Franco and Lamberti. The path of experimentation led to a possible cure: NGF-based eye drops.

As Elena prepared for an irreversible operation, Rita managed to convince the head physician to postpone the surgery and attempt a compassionate treatment. The result was astounding: the young violinist's vision was saved, along with her passion for music. In the audience at Elena's final audition, Rita finally found a deeper meaning in her research: turning knowledge into healing, science into hope.