Department of Bioelectrochemistry and Biospectroscopy

About

Formation of plasma membrane is considered as a crucial event during evolution and life, as known today, would not be possible without them. Actual plasma membranes contain a complex, heterogeneous distribution of lipids and membrane proteins which interact to create important biological functions. To investigate this complex membrane environment significant progress has been made to model native membranes.

Our research group focuses on development of nature inspired models, in particular, surface tethered phospholipid membranes (tBLM) and membrane-protein complexes exhibiting catalytic activities. The group addresses problems related to basic life-science as well as applications in biomedicine.  In particular, including sensor development for various endogenous and exogenous pathogens and ultrasensitive detection of microbial toxins (α-hemolysin (αHL), Vaginolysin (VLY), Pneumolysin (PLY), etc.).

We offer a broad spectrum of technological solutions to reconstitute proteins into the tethered bilayer for structural and functional studies. Bioelectrochemical and Biospectroscopic techniques and relevant expertise can be accessed by the external users through the standard open access procedures implemented at Vilnius University. We seek both academic and industrial partnerships to further develop molecular devices based on tethered bilayer technologies and advance basic knowledge in the field of the protein function in biological membranes.  In particular, we seek to establish partnerships with theoretical groups having expertise in modelling structures of biomolecules in membranes as well as predicting the dynamic properties of ion carriers in confined nano-compartments. Also, we aim to spread our technological knowledge into the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology where the phospholipid milieu is required for functional reconstitution of membrane proteins for structural and functional studies. Joint initiatives for EU and other international funding for research and technology development are also sought-after.

Our resources contain proprietary technology and compounds for the production of the self-assembled molecular anchors and tethered phospholipid bilayers. Wide spectrum of electrochemical and spectroscopy instrumentation for molecular level characterization of the structure and function of phospholipid bilayers, membrane-protein interaction, detection of membrane-damaging toxins and surface visualization by the fluorescence and atomic force microscopies. Proprietary algorithms and software for the analysis of the electrochemical impedance response of tethered bilayers.

Main publications

Contacts: 4th floor C wing.

Life Sciences Center, Sauletekio av. 7, LT-10257, Vilnius

Twitter: @BiomembranesLSC

About

About

Formation of plasma membrane is considered as a crucial event during evolution and life, as known today, would not be possible without them. Actual plasma membranes contain a complex, heterogeneous distribution of lipids and membrane proteins which interact to create important biological functions. To investigate this complex membrane environment significant progress has been made to model native membranes.

Our research group focuses on development of nature inspired models, in particular, surface tethered phospholipid membranes (tBLM) and membrane-protein complexes exhibiting catalytic activities. The group addresses problems related to basic life-science as well as applications in biomedicine.  In particular, including sensor development for various endogenous and exogenous pathogens and ultrasensitive detection of microbial toxins (α-hemolysin (αHL), Vaginolysin (VLY), Pneumolysin (PLY), etc.).

We offer a broad spectrum of technological solutions to reconstitute proteins into the tethered bilayer for structural and functional studies. Bioelectrochemical and Biospectroscopic techniques and relevant expertise can be accessed by the external users through the standard open access procedures implemented at Vilnius University. We seek both academic and industrial partnerships to further develop molecular devices based on tethered bilayer technologies and advance basic knowledge in the field of the protein function in biological membranes.  In particular, we seek to establish partnerships with theoretical groups having expertise in modelling structures of biomolecules in membranes as well as predicting the dynamic properties of ion carriers in confined nano-compartments. Also, we aim to spread our technological knowledge into the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology where the phospholipid milieu is required for functional reconstitution of membrane proteins for structural and functional studies. Joint initiatives for EU and other international funding for research and technology development are also sought-after.

Our resources contain proprietary technology and compounds for the production of the self-assembled molecular anchors and tethered phospholipid bilayers. Wide spectrum of electrochemical and spectroscopy instrumentation for molecular level characterization of the structure and function of phospholipid bilayers, membrane-protein interaction, detection of membrane-damaging toxins and surface visualization by the fluorescence and atomic force microscopies. Proprietary algorithms and software for the analysis of the electrochemical impedance response of tethered bilayers.

Main publications

Main publications

 

 

 

 

2020

 

1. Penkauskas T, Zentelyte A, Ganpule S, Valincius G, Preta G. Pleiotropic Effects of Statins via Interaction With the Lipid Bilayer: A Combined Approach. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr . 2020 Sep 1;1862(9):183306. IF 3.411

 

2019

 

 

1. Raila, T., Penkauskas, T., Jankunec, M., Dreižas, G., Meškauskas, T. and Valincius, G., 2019. Electrochemical impedance of randomly distributed defects in tethered phospholipid bilayers: Finite element analysis. Electrochimica Acta, 299, pp.863-874. IF 5.383

 

2. Ragaliauskas, T., Plečkaitytė, M., Jankunec, M., Labanauskas, L., Baranauskiene, L. and Valincius, G., 2019. Inerolysin and vaginolysin, the cytolysins implicated in vaginal dysbiosis, differently impair molecular integrity of phospholipid membranes. Scientific reports, 9(1), pp.1-11. IF 4.011

 

3. Valldeperas, M., Mahmoudi, N., Teixeira, S.C., Talaikis, M., Matulaitiene, I., Niaura, G., Barauskas, J. and Nylander, T., 2019. Lipid Sponge-Phase Nanoparticles as Enzyme Carriers-Structure and Intermolecular Interaction Controlling the Enzyme Inclusion. Biophysical Journal, 116(3), p.181a. IF 3.665

 

4. Pavliukeviciene, B., Zentelyte, A., Jankunec, M., Valiuliene, G., Talaikis, M., Navakauskiene, R., Niaura, G. and Valincius, G., 2019. Amyloid β oligomers inhibit growth of human cancer cells. PloS one, 14(9). IF 2.776

 

5. Talaikis, M., Valldeperas, M., Matulaitienė, I., Borzova, J.L., Barauskas, J., Niaura, G. and Nylander, T., 2019. On the Molecular Interactions in Lipid Bilayer–Water Assemblies of Different Curvatures. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 123(12), pp.2662-2672. IF 2.923

 

6. Penkauskas T., Preta G., 2019. Biological applications of tethered bilayer lipid membranes. Biochimie. 2019 Feb;157:131-141. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.11.011. Epub 2018 Nov 22. Review. IF 3.413 

2018

1. Santos, A.L. and Preta, G., 2018. Lipids in the cell: organisation regulates function. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, pp.1-19. IF 7.014

2. Sabirovas, T., Valiūnienė, A. and Valincius, G., 2018. Mechanically Polished Titanium Surface for Immobilization of Hybrid Bilayer Membrane. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 165(10), pp.G109-G115. IF 3.120

3. Gabriunaite, I., Valiūnienė, A. and Valincius, G., 2018. Formation and properties of phospholipid bilayers on fluorine doped tin oxide electrodes. Electrochimica Acta, 283: 1351-1358. IF 5.383

2017

1. Ragaliauskas, T., Mickevicius, M., Rakovska, B., Penkauskas, T., Vanderah, D.J., Heinrich, F. and Valincius, G., 2017. Fast formation of low-defect-density tethered bilayers by fusion of multilamellar vesicles. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes, 1859(5), pp.669-678. IF 3.438

2. Preta, G., 2017. Understanding the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde nature of apoptosis-inducing factor: future perspectives. Biomedical journal, 40(4), pp.239-240. IF 3.697

3. Griffin S, Preta G, Sheldon IM. 2017. Inhibiting mevalonate pathway enzymes increases stromal cell resilience to a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin. Sci Rep. Dec 6;7(1):17050. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17138-y. IF 4.122

4. Dagys, M., Laurynėnas, A., Ratautas, D., Kulys, J., Vidžiūnaitė, R., Talaikis, M., Niaura, G., Marcinkevičienė, L., Meškys, R. and Shleev, S., 2017. Oxygen electroreduction catalysed by laccase wired to gold nanoparticles via the trinuclear copper cluster. Energy & Environmental Science, 10(2), pp.498-502. IF 30.067

2016

Eicher-Lorka, O., Charkova, T., Matijoška, A., Kuodis, Z., Urbelis, G., Penkauskas, T., Mickevičius, M., Bulovas, A. and Valinčius, G., 2016. Cholesterol-based tethers and markers for model membranes investigation. Chemistry and physics of lipids, 195, pp.71-86.

Preta, G., Jankunec, M., Heinrich, F., Griffin, S., Sheldon, I.M. and Valincius, G., 2016. Tethered bilayer membranes as a complementary tool for functional and structural studies: The pyolysin case. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes, 1858(9), pp.2070-2080.

Talaikis, M., Eicher-Lorka, O., Valincius, G. and Niaura, G., 2016. Water-Induced Structural Changes in the Membrane-Anchoring Monolayers Revealed by Isotope-Edited SERS. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 120(39), pp.22489-22499.

Valincius, G., Mickevicius, M., Penkauskas, T. and Jankunec, M., 2016. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Tethered Bilayer Membranes: An Effect of Heterogeneous Distribution of Defects in Membranes. Electrochimica Acta, 222, pp.904-913.

2015

Rakovska, B., Ragaliauskas, T., Mickevicius, M., Jankunec, M., Niaura, G., Vanderah, D.J. and Valincius, G., 2015. Structure and function of the membrane anchoring self-assembled monolayers. Langmuir, 31(2), pp.846-857.

2014

Ragaliauskas, T., Mickevicius, M., Budvytyte, R., Niaura, G., Carbonnier, B. and Valincius, G., 2014. Adsorption of β-amyloid oligomers on octadecanethiol monolayers. Journal of colloid and interface science, 425, pp.159-167.

2013

Budvytyte, R., Mickevicius, M., Vanderah, D.J., Heinrich, F. and Valincius, G., 2013. Modification of tethered bilayers by phospholipid exchange with vesicles. Langmuir, 29(13), pp.4320-4327.

Budvytyte, R., Pleckaityte, M., Zvirbliene, A., Vanderah, D.J. and Valincius, G., 2013. Reconstitution of cholesterol-dependent vaginolysin into tethered phospholipid bilayers: Implications for bioanalysis. PloS one, 8(12), p.e82536.

Budvytyte, R., Valincius, G., Niaura, G., Voiciuk, V., Mickevicius, M., Chapman, H., Goh, H.Z., Shekhar, P., Heinrich, F., Shenoy, S. and Lösche, M., 2013. Structure and properties of tethered bilayer lipid membranes with unsaturated anchor molecules. Langmuir, 29(27), pp.8645-8656.

Main Grants

1. Research council of Lithuania grant "Advanced Technology Development Program" project, B-38, AMILOIDE. (2008-2010). Project partners: LSMU Institute of Biomedical science, LSMU Neurological clinic, Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Physics. (Project leader dr. G. Valinčius).
2. Research council of Lithuania grant MIP project, MIP-11395, IMFABITE (2011-2012). Immobilized phospholipid bilayers for protein reconstitution. (Project leader dr. G. Valinčius).
3. Research council of Lithuania grant National research programme "Chronic Non-Infectious Diseases" project, LIG-12048, MALPALMA (2012-2014) (Project leader: dr. R. Morkūnienė).
4. MINIFOB funded by European Social Fund Agency, “Miniaturized phospholipid biosensors” (2013-2015), (Principal investigator: dr. G. Valinčius).
5. Biosentox (2017-2019) “Biosensors for toxin detection” funded by VU and Lithuanian business support agency (Principal investigation – G. Valinčius).

Personnel

Head of department

852234394

Research staff

PhD students

Technical staff