Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) are protein messengers that play a vital role in nerve cell health and function (1).

Their research began in the 1950s with the landmark discovery of endogenous NGF by the Italian neurobiologist, Professor Rita Levi-Montalcini, and her colleague Dr. Stanley Cohen. For this discovery, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 (2) .

Dompé played a key role in this advancement by successfully engineering and manufacturing the first recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) after years of dedicated research.

This breakthrough fueled further research focused on the potential of neurotrophins to treat a wide range of conditions. Scientists worldwide are now working to expand the potential of neurotrophins in areas of ophthalmology, and the Central Nervous System (3).

This is the focus of the upcoming conference, "From the Eye to the Brain" organized by Nature and sponsored by Dompé farmaceutici.

Stay tuned and follow us to remain updated on the latest advancements.

To learn more about the science behind Dompé's recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor, visit our NGF section.

References:

1. Eric J Huang, Louis F Reichardt Neurotrophins: Roles in Neuronal Development and Function Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001 ; 24: 677–736. doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.677

2. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1986

3. Luigi Aloe, Maria Luisa Rocco, Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Alessandra Micera Nerve Growth Factor: A Focus on Neuroscience and Therapy Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015 May; 13(3): 294–303. Published online 2015 May. doi: 10.2174/1570159X13666150403231920

*The images on this page are for illustrative purposes only.