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.

Artūras Polita has defended his thesis entitled "Design and Application of BODIP Probes for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Local Viscosity and Polarity in Lipid Microenvironments" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biophysics.

The Vilnius University (VU) Foundation's Postdoctoral Fellowship Competition, aimed at attracting early-career researchers with recognized international experience and helping them establish themselves, was won this year by four talented researchers from different VU departments.

From 7 to 10 September, the 14th annual Nordic EMBL Partnership Meeting will take place in Umeå, Sweden. The EMBL Partnership Institute based at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) will also participate in the meeting.

Ashwinipriyadarshini Megur defended her thesis entitled “Characterization and In Vivo Evaluation of the Synbiotic Potential of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Traditional Lithuanian Fermented Foods” for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biochemistry.

Anastasiia Shelest defended her thesis entitled “Functionality of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels: Influence of Cytokines and Genetic Variation” for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biophysics.

On 24 August, the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) welcomed a 24-member delegation from Nigeria’s National Assembly Service Commission.

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.