On 3 February, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, through the Lithuanian Science Awards Commission, announced the recipients of the Lithuanian Science Awards 2025. A total of seven awards were granted this year, four of which went to researchers from Vilnius University (VU).

In the field of medical and health sciences, the Lithuanian Science Award was presented to Prof. Artūras Petronis of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center. He was recognized for his body of work, “Epigenomics: chronos, pathos, nosos” (2010–2024), which analyzes epigenetic mechanisms related to the origin of diseases, their progression, and the biological aspects of time. These studies contribute to the advancement of epigenetics and highlight the importance of epigenomic changes for disease diagnostics and the development of personalized medicine.

Lithuanian Science Awards are granted annually for fundamental and applied research, as well as experimental development work of significance to Lithuania. The prize amounts to 780 basic social benefit units (€57,720). The award ceremony for the Lithuanian Science Award laureates will be broadcast live from the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences on 5 March at 1:00 PM on the “LRT Plius” television channel.

Prof. Virginijus Šikšnys of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) has been elected Chair of the Council of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). EMBL is one of Europe’s most significant international life sciences organizations, bringing together countries to pursue joint research in molecular biology and related fields.

On 30 January, the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) welcomed Professor Bart Spee from Utrecht University for a visit focused on strengthening institutional ties and exploring opportunities for closer academic and research collaboration.

On 29 January, the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) hosted a Danish delegation, including European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, together with the Lithuanian Innovation Agency’s Eglė Elena Šataitė. The guests visited the VU Life Sciences Center’s Bioanalysis Department, where they met with scientists Dr. Marius Dagys and Dr. Dalius Ratautas.

Kamilė Mikalauskaitė defended her thesis entitled "The Role of Environmental Factors in Protein Amyloid Aggregation" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

As the capital marked its 703rd anniversary, residents who have made a significant contribution to Vilnius and helped raise the city’s profile were honoured at the prestigious St Christopher Awards, now a well-established tradition. On Friday evening, a ceremony was held at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, which recognised 10 laureates for their achievements in science, sport, culture, and other fields.

Dr Constantinos Patinios, a researcher at the EMBL Partnership Institute operating at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC), has been awarded the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Installation Grant. This recognition is given to promising early-career researchers establishing new research groups in European countries and marks an important international acknowledgment of life sciences research conducted in Lithuania.

The VU Discussion Club continues its series of interdisciplinary conversations and invites you to its second event, this time dedicated to one of the most fundamental yet complex topics – life. The discussion will take place on the 29th of January, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, in the Aula Parva hall of Vilnius University’s Central Campus (Universiteto St. 3, Vilnius).

At the Life Sciences Center (LSC), we continue to move forward with the development of the LSC 2026–2030 Strategy.

This is the day when we remember the people who, on 13 January 1991, stood up to defend Lithuania’s freedom – unarmed, yet united, courageous, and firm in their resolve.