On 22 April, we had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the InFLAMES Flagship, led by Prof. Sirpa Jalkanen, to the Department of Immunology at the Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center.
The visit opened with an introduction to InFLAMES and its mission to accelerate the translation of immunology research into real-world applications. This was followed by an overview of the Life Sciences Center, presented by its Director, Arvydas Lubys, highlighting the Center’s strategic directions, core facilities, and strong focus on collaboration with industry. The Department of Immunology and the Lithuanian Society for Immunology were introduced by Dovilė Stravinskienė.
We presented our main research directions, spanning molecular and cellular immunology, monoclonal and recombinant antibody development, virus diagnostics, and molecular epidemiology. Our technological capabilities – including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and advanced cell and molecular biology platforms – also played an important role in the discussion led by Martynas Simanavičius.
The meeting evolved into a dynamic exchange between researchers across disciplines and career stages, with a focus on future collaboration: joint research initiatives, researcher mobility, and translational, industry-oriented projects. Valuable insights were shared by colleagues from the Dept. of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, including Prof. Daumantas Matulis, as well as by InFLAMES group leaders Maija Hollmén and Akira Takeda and members of our own research community.
The visit concluded with a tour of our laboratories, offering a closer look at our research environment and infrastructure. The atmosphere throughout was warm and engaging, and we were delighted that our guests highlighted the quality of our facilities and the collaborative spirit within the Center.
We look forward to developing meaningful partnerships and strengthening ties within the European immunology community.
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