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From: Nobelprize.org
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Subject: News from Nobelprize.org


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News from Nobelprize.org

April 24, 2009

This week, for the first time ever, a Nobel Laureate reached their centenary. Rita Levi-Montalcini, joint discoverer of nerve growth factor and the co-recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, celebrated her 100th birthday in Rome on Wednesday 22 April. To mark this unique event, Nobelprize.org published a newly recorded interview with her. Still doing three jobs – she visits the lab daily, works with her charity helping African women, and is a senior senator in the Italian parliament – she says “The last period of my life is perhaps the best”.

Another recent centenary was that of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which was awarded for the 100th time last year. About a quarter of the Chemistry Prizes have been for work in the area of organic chemistry; the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds. This month saw the release of our project summarizing the organic chemistry-related Nobel Prizes in accessible Speed Reads, with the aim of helping to shed some light on the craft of organic chemistry, and the far-reaching benefits it delivers.

So please join us in wishing Rita Levi-Montalcini a happy birthday, and we hope you enjoy the selection of anniversary content below.

Adam Smith
Editor-in-Chief

 


levi-montalcini "IN THE NIGHT I THINK, IN THE DAY I WORK"
In this 30-minute conversation, Rita Levi-Montalcini discusses her path to science, her ongoing research, her work with women in Africa, and gives advice to young scientists.
Watch the interview »
 


Organic Chemistry THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
If understanding organic chemistry has always seemed a daunting task, take a gentle tour with our summary guide to the milestones of the last century of research.
Choose a Speed Read »
 


The Handshake THE HANDSHAKE
Fresh to Nobelprize.org, video footage of Rita Levi-Montalcini receiving the Nobel Prize from the King of Sweden in 1986.
Replay the moment »
 


Chemists CHEMISTS IN CONVERSATION
As our ongoing project to record interviews with all living Nobel Laureates continues, the list of conversations on file expands. Browse the current offering of interviews with Chemistry Laureates.
Pick a chemist »
 


LEVI-MONTALCINI THE AUTHOR LEVI-MONTALCINI THE AUTHOR
Alongside her research, Rita Levi-Montalcini has written over 20 books, although sadly most are as yet unavailable in English. Get a flavour of her writing by reading her official, short autobiography for the Nobel Foundation.
Read the biography »
 


1 of 35 1 OF 35
The statistics aren't great. Rita Levi-Montalcini is among only 35 women who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, out of a total of 789 individual Laureates.
View the whole list »
 


Banquet DINNER ON THE RUN?
Lastly, here's a link to our two minute time-lapse video of the 2001 Nobel Banquet, which marked another centenary; 100 years since the award of the first ever Nobel Prize.
Play the video »