Achievements of the AI program AlphaFold are mind-blowing, but it also has its limitations. “The program AlphaFold solved a problem that seemed insurmountable – it determines the structures of proteins and protein complexes by non-experimental methods. The program does it extremely accurately. […] Fortunately, AlphaFold is not yet all-powerful, because if it could do everything, we would be out of work”, jokingly says Dr. Giedrius Sasnauskas, a biochemist of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC).

Senior Researcher Dr. Giedrė Tamulaitienė and colleagues from Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC), in collaboration with the researchers from Weizmann Institute of Sciences (Israel), revealed an activation mechanism of the Thoeris antiviral defence system effector. The article Activation of Thoeris antiviral system via SIR2 effector filament assembly was published in the prestigious science and technology journal Nature. Researchers have determined the structure of the previously unknown active SIR2 effector of the bacterial defence system Thoeris (named after the Egyptian goddess who protects childbirth and fertility) and proposed an activation mechanism.

“Many cancers are curable with existing protocol therapy, however, not all cancers respond to it. Based on the data of my research, I think that both treatment and diagnostics will become more and more individualized,” says Dr. Rūta Navakauskienė, researcher of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC). Her research group’s study on stem cells and their therapeutic application is part of this progress.

In October 2023, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LMA) nominated the cycle of works “Investigation of the role of cancer and stem cells in the pathogenesis of diseases and their application for therapy - synergy of experimental biology and computer informatics (2008–2022)” by Dr. Rūta Navakauskienė (together with Prof. Dalius Navakauskas, Dr. Veronika Viktorija Borutinskaitė and Prof. Dalius Matuzevičius) as candidate for the Lithuanian Science Prize.

Vilnius University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) established by NATO. VU LSC will act as a technology testing, assessment, verification, and validation center and provide services to the accelerator’s start-ups in the field of life sciences.

Wood is needed for industry, so forests will certainly continue to be cut down. But many painful mistakes are made. Trees that are not attacked by the European spruce bark beetle (lps typographus) are destroyed, spruce trees that will leave Lithuania due to the changing climate are replanted, and forests are cleared. It is harmful to the ecosystem of which we humans are a part. "Diversity is a shock absorber that can help us avoid the unwanted changes that will undoubtedly occur with climate change. By protecting the environment, along with, of course, insects, we are actually protecting ourselves," says Professor Virginija Podėnienė.

Viktoras Ragožius, a MSc student of molecular biology at the VU Life Sciences Center, won the prize for the best poster presentation on topic 'Structural studies of type I CRIPR-Cas adaptation complex interaction with prespacers' in the workshop 'Cryo-EM in academia and industry' in Heidelberg, Germany (supervisor Dr. Lina Malinauskaitė, consultant Dr. Inga Songailienė).

The new International Advisory Board of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) has started its work. During the first meeting, its members, together with the VU LSC management, discussed the past year's trends and future perspectives of the LSC. The members of the International Advisory Board also provided valuable insights on how to improve the financial and administrative management of the Center, increase internationalization, and strengthen relations with social partners.

Researchers, innovators, and their teams operating in the field of life sciences are invited to participate in the unique 7-week entrepreneurship program StartBIO, during which selected participants will have the opportunity to assess the commercial potential of their research or idea and acquire knowledge and skills important for business development, which will help grow a successful life science start-up. Registration of participants is already underway on the initiative's website www.startbio.eu, and the program's activities, which include training, individualised consultations, mentoring and business modelling activities, will start on the 6th of March at the StartBIO launch event held at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center.

Researchers are often approached by medical professionals or businessmen to solve challenges that they cannot solve on their own. Such requests are also received by the Bioanalysis Department of the Biochemistry Institute of the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University, headed by Dr. Marius Dagys. According to the Head of the Department, biosensors developed by the team will soon appear in intensive care units, which will help patients in the hospital maintain vital functions. And this is just one example.

On the last work day of 2023, Augustinas Matulevičius defended his thesis "Innovative Imaging Technologies and Genetic Tests for the Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer" and received a doctorate degree in the field of biological science. Congratulations!

On December 22, in the Rector's Hall, the communication teams of the academic and non-academic departments of Vilnius University were presented with nominations reviewing the activities of 2023. The Life Sciences Center team won the "Science Outreach Champion Award" nomination for tireless communication support of scientists and young researchers.