About Us

History

 

 

Although the history of VU LSC dates back to 1781, with the establishment of the VU Faculty of Natural Sciences, the official opening ceremony of the Life Sciences Center was held in March 2016. Since then, the faculty has grown in research fields and the number of departments.

In the middle of summer 2013, it was decided to build brand-new facilities with innovative infrastructure to accommodate not only all biosciences departments but also two related institutes: the Institute of Biochemistry (founded in 1967) and the Institute of Biotechnology (founded in 1975).

The letter to future generations was buried in the capsule on 14 November 2013. The Center was completed in December 2015, while the first students and scientists settled in in February 2016. The VU LSC project was led by Prof. Juozas Rimantas Lazutka.

The Center has strengthened research, studies, and technological advances in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, neurobiology, molecular medicine, and related fields. 

 

 

Facts and Figures

 

• VU LSC occupies 24 thousand square metres

• about 1000 students, 170 PhD students, and 120 scientific-educational staff

• 24 fully equipped rooms, 10 trainee scientific laboratories, 3 computer rooms, 23 modern open access laboratories, and places for individual studies

• VU LSC holds Vilnius University Museum of Zoology and Herbarium

• 9 open access expansion centers for biotechnology and molecular medicine research and experiments

 

Facilities

 

WiFi, multimedia, LCD, board, microphone, business equipment, video conference equipment, computer, daylight, computer classes, facilities for the disabled, technical assistance, air conditioning, inner yard, parking.

 

VU LSC-EMBL Partnership                       

 

On September 8, Director General of the elite European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Prof. Edith Heard signed an agreement with Vilnius University (VU) on the establishment of a Partnership Institute in the Life Sciences Center (LSC) of VU.

This is an extraordinary achievement in the history of Lithuanian science.

EMBL is the world’s leading laboratory for life sciences with five branches in the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.

The centers of the EMBL are equipped with the most modern life sciences research equipment and infrastructure needed for internationally competitive research and innovation. EMBL Heidelberg has light and electron microscopes, enabling the implementation of technologies without analogs in Lithuania. EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton (UK) has pooled unique bioinformatics resources, and the EMBL Rome in Monterotondo (Italy) specialises in the development of mouse models used in biomedical research. This center includes infrastructure for gene modification, transgenic manipulation, and histological testing of tissues and cells.

Membership of the EMBL brings significant benefits to Lithuanian researchers. Lithuania has been granted access to all EMBL services and programmes, and has the right to vote in the organisation's decision-making process regarding its activities. Direct contact with EMBL representatives enables the submission of international research funding applications.

The new institute, without parallel in Lithuania, will employ six high-level international research groups to develop and strengthen gene-editing technology. One of the creators of this technology is a renowned Lithuanian scientist, VU LSC Prof. Virginijus Šikšnys.

 

Staff                 

 

 

Studies                                 

 

The main reasons to study at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC):

VU LSC is a key player in the field of life sciences due to its modern infrastructure, highly qualified and prominent scientists in biotechnology, biochemistry, and biosciences, and its cooperation with recognized international research institutions and business partners.

Our studies are based on: theory and practical assignments at modern scientific laboratories, the possibility to carry out final projects at scientific institutes, and scholarships by the world-leading scientific company Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics.

Close relations with the life sciences industry ensure the possibility of gaining practical experience in the industry during your studies.

VU LSC ensures mentoring by field-leading scientists, teaching and mentoring by professionals in your field of interest, and receiving personalized support from academic tutors.

We are committed to providing all students with an exceptional learning experience!