The exhibition Archivum archaios, organised by Vilnius University (VU) and the Vilnius Academy of Arts, will open at the Museum of Urban Wooden Architecture on 6 November at 6 pm. The exhibition brings together historical natural history collections preserved at the VU Museums of Geology and Zoology and the Herbarium, alongside contemporary artistic interpretations of these collections.

From 8 to 9 October, the 5th Baltic Biophysics Conference brought together more than 140 scientists from 16 countries in Vilnius to present the latest research in biophysics and discuss advances in the field. The conference focused on molecular and plant biophysics, nanotechnology, biomedical physics, cancer research, advanced microscopy and imaging technologies, and electroporation. The conference was organised by the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC), in partnership with the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC).

Why do different cells in our bodies perform completely different functions despite containing the same genetic information? How does a cell “decide” which genes to use and which to keep inactive? Scientists are seeking answers to these questions by studying epigenetic processes – mechanisms that regulate gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself.

A team of researchers from the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) – Mohammad Nour Alsamsam, Aurimas Kopūstas, and Meda Jurevičiūtė, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marijonas Tutkus – has developed an ultra-high-resolution optical fluorescence microscope called “miEye”. To the researchers’ knowledge, it is the first microscope of its kind in Lithuania to be used routinely for scientific research.

This year, 29 students from nine Lithuanian higher education institutions have been awarded Presidential Scholarships in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements and involvement in research and community activities. Among the recipients is Žygimantas Vareikis, a student at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC), who has been awarded the President Kazys Grinius Scholarship.

Twelve projects led by researchers from the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center received funding under the Research Council of Lithuania (LMT) programme My First Research Team. In total, 28 projects were funded across Lithuania, with VU LSC projects accounting for 42.9% of them. The funding will enable the selected young researchers to build their first research teams and lead independent research projects spanning a broad range of life sciences – from cancer biology, neurobiology, and infectious diseases to enzyme engineering and AI-driven drug discovery.

On 25 September, a delegation from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) visited the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC). The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about the research and study activities of both institutions, exchange experiences, and discuss possible directions for further cooperation.

Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) researchers have developed a genetic tool that enables highly efficient control of gene activity at different stages of development in a model organism – the zebrafish. The new tool makes it possible to investigate how the functions of the same genes change as an organism develops and later in life.

Juta Dvareckienė defended her dissertation entitled “Production and Characterization of Diagnostic-Grade Recombinant Allergens: From Expression Platform Selection to Clinical Application” and was awarded a Doctor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

On September 9–11, the international event “8th Antibody Validation Workshop & 14th EuroMAbNet Meeting” was held at VU LSC, bringing together European antibody experts. This conference, which was attended by more than 100 participants, was organized by VU LSC and the Lithuanian Society for Immunology together with the EuroMAbNet – a network of European academic laboratories established in 2008, promoting international cooperation and sharing of scientific experience in the field of antibody development, validation and research. The research team of the Department of Immunology of VU LSC joined the EuroMAbNet in 2018.

Skomantas Serapinas has defended his thesis entitled “The Development of Electrochemical Genosensors Based on Nucleic Acid Affinity” for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biochemistry.

It can often take several days to determine which antibiotic will be effective for a specific patient. Researchers at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC), together with their partners, are developing technology that could reduce this time to just a few hours. For this, they are using the bacteria themselves: the researchers aim to use biofilms that bacteria form as natural biological indicators that can show, in real time, whether a selected antibiotic is effective.  

On 11 September, at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Professor Virginijus Šikšnys of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) was formally presented with one of Japan’s most prestigious state decorations – the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The award was bestowed on the professor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting academic exchange and strengthening mutual understanding between Japan and Lithuania.