Monika Iešmantaitė defended her thesis entitled "Microglial Phenotype in Neuroinflammation: The Role of the CB2 Receptor in Anti-Inflammatory Signaling" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biology.

Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) students visited the University of Wrocław on 17–21 August for the return visit of the “Twinning” initiative of the Arqus European University Alliance.

Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) researchers, together with colleagues from Ukraine, have developed an electrochemical biosensor that could help rapidly and accurately assess kidney and liver function. The research findings were published in the high-level scientific journal *Analytical Chemistry*, received special recognition from the journal’s editors and were featured on the journal’s cover. 

Bacteria hold far greater potential than might appear at first glance. Inside them are bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) – microscopic protein-based structures that could become valuable tools in future biotechnology. Before these natural systems can be applied beyond bacterial cells, however, scientists must first learn how to precisely control their assembly and tailor their properties for specific applications.

On 23 July, representatives of Charles River Laboratories—one of the world's leading providers of preclinical research and pharmaceutical services—visited the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC) as part of a visit organized by Invest Lithuania. The delegation included Julian Demmon, Executive Vice President, Commercial, and Christos Farmakis, Chief Strategy Officer.

The 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) officially came to a close with the Closing Ceremony held in Vilnius on 18 July. Hosted in Lithuania for the first time in the country's history, the Olympiad brought together more than 300 of the world's most talented high school students from 78 countries. Around 250 volunteers from 20 countries contributed to the successful delivery of the event.

Participants of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) visited the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC) on 17 July, where they took part in a special event, "What's Next?"

On 24 July at 6:00 PM, the second exhibition of Archivum archaios, a collaborative project by Vilnius University (VU) and the Vilnius Academy of Arts, will open at the VU Ideas Observatory.

When we talk about scientific breakthroughs, our attention is usually drawn to Nobel Prizes, renowned scientists, or revolutionary discoveries. Yet behind many of these achievements lie decades of international networks, partnerships, and relationships built on trust rather than the work of a single research group. This is the side of science that Plamena Markova, Chief of International Relations at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), helps shape and nurture.

On 12 July, Vilnius officially welcomed the 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) – the first time in Lithuania's history that the world's largest biology competition for secondary school students is being held in the country.

From 6 to 10 July, Barcelona was hosting FENS Forum 2026, Europe's largest international neuroscience conference, bringing together scientists, researchers, clinicians, and students from around the world. The forum provides an outstanding platform to showcase the latest advances in neuroscience, discuss emerging scientific trends, and establish new international collaborations.

On a hot summer day, you instinctively swat away a pesky fruit fly hovering around your fruit or soft drink. Chances are you have also shooed away one of its most common companions – an RNA virus named Galbūt, the Lithuanian word for "Maybe."  Despite its unusual name, this virus has been officially recorded in international genetic sequence databases, alongside others bearing distinctly Baltic-inspired names such as Ūsinis, Barstukas, Pikulas, and Patulas. These names were coined by Dr Gytis Dudas, a virologist at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center. 

Throughout this article, virus names are presented in their original Baltic spelling, as they appear in international genetic sequence databases.