The oldest Nobel laureate died

Rita Levi-Montalcini, the first Nobel laureate to survive the age of 100, died in Rome on December 30.

Piera Levi-Montalcini, the granddaughter of the famous neurologist and city councilor of Turin in Italy, told La Stampa daily that she had died peacefully after lunch on December 30, enjoying 103 years old.

"My aunt still works long hours every day until she dies. A lamp of life is off," Piera said.

Ms. Rita Levi-Montalcini attended a scientific workshop on April 18, 2009.

The Italian called Levi-Montalcini, a Jewish native born in 1909, "Lady of the Cells". During the fascist period in Italy and Germany, the government implemented a policy of anti-Semitism. Despite her life-threatening risks, she conducted secret underground research in Belgium and Italy during the late 30s and early 40s. In 1986, she won the Nobel Prize in Medicine with her home. American biology Stanley Cohen thanks to the discovery of a neuronal growth factor. Her research helps the scientific community better understand aspects of cells - like the development of cancer, AP said.

Gianni Alemanno, mayor of Rome, described her death as "a loss to all mankind".

"Levi-Montalcini is a symbol of conscience, culture and scientific research spirit of our time , " he said.

Before his death, Levi-Montalcini was the first Nobel laureate to live past the age of 100 and also the oldest living Nobel laureate. In honor of her dedication, in 2001, the President of Italy appointed her as a lifelong senator.