As 2025 begins, LRT hosted its traditional annual event to reflect on and celebrate the most significant events, individuals, and initiatives of the past year that inspired Lithuania to unite, grow, and thrive. During the LRT Annual Awards Ceremony, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) researchers Prof. Sonata Jarmalaitė and Dr. Rasa Sabaliauskaitė were recognized in the "Discovery of the Year" category for their groundbreaking research on kidney cancer, aimed at reducing its prevalence.

On December 19, Vilnius University (VU) hosted a grand festive evening titled “Farewell to 2024”. During the event, the most significant accomplishments of the calendar year were highlighted, and members of the VU academic community who achieved outstanding success, including representatives of the Life Sciences Center (LSC), were honored.

An exceptional event was held at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences to mark the 50th anniversary of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Lithuania’s 5th year as a member of this prominent organization. The event brought together scientists, government representatives, businesses, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to strengthening EMBL’s presence in Lithuania.

Milda Babonaitė has defended her thesis entitled "Assessment of Nanoparticle Genotoxicity and its Cellular Uptake by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biology.

Daina Bujanauskienė has defended her thesis entitled "Molecular profiling of synapses during brain circuit refinement" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biochemistry.

Dr. Inga Griskova-Bulanova, a researcher at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University, has been elected the new head of the Lithuanian Neuroscience Association (LNA). She succeeded Prof. Osvaldas Rukšėnas, the Association's long-time leader.

The 2023 Best Dissertations Competition winners were honored at the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania. Dr. Milda Narmontė from the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU) is among them. She was awarded for her dissertation "A high-resolution method for the detection of genomic 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and its application in epigenetic studies of human diseases".

Deimantė Žukauskaitė has defended her thesis entitled "Investigating the role of epigenetic factors and their alterations in the functioning of the female reproductive system" for the degree of Doctor of Science in Biochemistry.

The Life Sciences Center (LSC) recently welcomed Professor Chris Turney, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), for a visit that marked an exciting step towards potential international collaboration. Accompanying Professor Turney were Gintaras Stepnavičius, Director at the Cormack Consultancy Group (CEE+), and Inna Chernysh, CCG Project Management Assistant.

The Frontiers of Light Microscopy satellite event, held as part of the annual Lithuanian Neuroscience Association Conference and the PANERIS project, provided a unique platform for scientific exchange.

Last week, Tautvydas Kojis, a graduate of the Master’s program at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC), became the laureate of the "Best Master's Thesis 2024" competition. His thesis, titled "Development of in vitro test model for new compound analysis using murine carbonic anhydrases," prepared under the supervision of Dr. Lina Baranauskienė, was selected as the best in the field of technological sciences.

Scientist and bioinformatician Dr Miglė Gabrielaitė recently won the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF), one of the most important grants from the European Commission for young researchers.