Department of Botany and Genetics

Botany, algology and mycology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Botany, algology and mycology research group, Laukagalis bog, Labanoras regional park, 2023. Photo by J. Barzdėnas.

Members of the group (2023)

Principal investigator

Prof. Dr. (HP) Ernestas Kutorga

Group members

Rima Briškaitė

Sigitas Juzėnas

Julius Mačiulaitis

Audronė Meldžiukienė

Dr. Ingrida Prigodina Lukošienė

Dr. Mindaugas Rasimavičius

Dr. Radvilė Rimgailė-Voicik

Dr. Jonė Rukšėnienė

Petras Venckus

PhD students

Anita Elizabeth Clarke
Eglė Vabuolė

 

The Botany, Algology and Mycology Research Group focuses on the diversity, biology, distribution and ecology of plants, algae, fungi and lichens. We integrate field and laboratory experimental methods to analyse plant and fungal biology and ecology questions. We also study the history of botany and mycology in Lithuania.

The Herbarium of Vilnius University (WI), located at the Department of Botany and Genetics, has a large collection of dried plants, fungi, lichens, and algae for comparative and evolutionary studies. The collection, study and preservation of plant, algal, lichen and fungal specimens is an essential task in providing research on the diversity and distribution of Lithuanian flora, algobiota and mycobiota.

Botany, Algology and Mycology Research Group poster 

Plant Genetics Group

The Plant Genetics Group carries out research in three main areas. Population genetic research focuses on understanding the role of plants as a key component of ecosystems under changing climate conditions. We investigate the genetic structure of plant populations to determine how climate change, habitat fragmentation, and biological interactions affect genetic diversity and population dynamics of native and alien species. Our plant taxonomy research includes the molecular identification of hybrids and genomic analysis of taxonomically complex species groups, helping to clarify species classification and evolutionary relationships. Altogether, these studies contribute to a better understanding of the role of plants in ecosystems and support sustainable natural resource management in the context of global environmental change. Research in this field is conducted by Prof. Dr. Donatas Žvingila, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurgita Butkuvienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jolanta Patamsytė, and PhD student Gelminė Vansevičiūtė.

 Another aspect of our investigation – the genotoxicological assessment of soil and water polution using plant test systems. We apply biotests based on chromosome damage and micronucleus analysis to determine the impact of pollutants on genome stability. Plants are used as bioindicators, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the genotoxic risk posed by environmental contaminants. In addition, molecular and biochemical markers are applied to enhance the reliability of biomonitoring. Research in this field is conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tatjana Čėsnienė.

New fast-growing research direction of the Plant Genetics Group focuses on functional genomics of cereals, particularly barley. This work is supported by one of the region’s most extensive collections of barley developmental mutants, housed in the University’s botanical garden. This research aims to identify genes responsible for important agronomic traits through whole-genome sequencing and genetic mapping in recombinant populations. Researchers conduct functional analysis of candidate genes and study their regulatory networks using CRISPR-Cas-based tools for targeted mutagenesis and transcriptome profiling of regenerants. These studies are crucial for understanding the genetic regulation of cereal development, ultimately contributing to breeding high-quality crop varieties that can better withstand the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Research in this field is conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raimondas Šiukšta, PhD student Bernadeta Kaminskaitė, PhD student Vilius J. Mensonas and PhD student Vėjūnė Pukenytė.

Poster of Barley Functional Genetics and Genomics Lab

Genotoxicology

Principal investigators

prof. J. Lazutka

prof. G. Slapšytė

Human genome

Principal investigator

prof. S. Jarmalaitė

 

Botany, algology and mycology

2024

Vabuolė E., Juzėnas S., Kutorga E., Habitat diversity, environmental conditions, and distribution of endangered fungus Sarcosoma globosum (Ascomycota) in Lithuania. – Journal of Fungi. 2024, vol. 10, no. 4, art. No. 263, p. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040263

Rimgailė-Voicik R., Tupčiauskaitė J., Matulevičiūtė D., Horn K., Zonneveld B. J. M., Bennert H. W. Botrychium simplex (Ophioglossaceae) in the Baltic countries and adjacent areas – a monographic study. – Nova Hedwigia. 2024, Vol. 118, Issue 1-2, p. 183–239. DOI: 10.1127/nova_hedwigia/2024/0934

2023

Rasimavičius M., Naujalis J. R., Gudžinskas Z. Structure of Equisetum variegatum (Equisetaceae) populations in natural and anthropogenic habitats. – Botanica. 2023, vol. 29, no. 2, p. 96–109. https://doi.org/10.35513/Botlit.2023.2.7

Gudynienė V., Juzėnas S., Stukonis V., Mildažienė V., Ivankov A., Norkevičienė E. Comparing Non-Thermal Plasma and Cold Stratification: Which Pre-Sowing Treatment Benefits Wild Plant Emergence? – Plants. MDPI. 2023, vol.12, iss.18, art. no. 3220, p. 1-18. eISSN: 2223-7747 ; DOI: 10.3390/plants12183220 

Venckus P., Endriukaitytė I., Čekuolytė K., Gudiukaitė R., Pakalniškis A., Lastauskienė E. Effect of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on the growth of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and astaxanthin synthesis. – Nanomaterials, MDPI. 2023, vol. 23, no. 10, art. no. 1618, p. [1-14]. eISSN: 2079-4991 ; DOI: 10.3390/nano13101618

2022

Clarke A.E., Rimgaile-Voicik R., Paškauskas R., Mažeika J. δ13C in above-ground and below-ground organs of Spinulum annotinum (Lycopodiaceae). – Flora. 2022, 294: 152119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2022.152119

Iršėnaitė R., Kutorga E., Kvederavičiūtė K., Naujalis J. R., 2022. Tricholoma joachimii (Tricholomataceae, Basidiomycota), a rare European species new for the eastern Baltic region. – Nova Hedwigia, 114 (1-2): 77–89. DOI: 10.1127/nova_hedwigia/2022/0674

Jukonienė, I., Kalvaitienė, M. & Rasimavičius, M. 2022. On the distribution of some rare bryophyte species following revision of the K. Szafnagel collection. – Herzogia 35: 155–162.

Jukonienė I., Ričkienė A., Kalvaitienė M., Rasimavičius M. 2022. Zapiski bryologiczne by Kazimierz Szafnagel and His Herbarium in the Historical Context of Bryological Studies in Lithuania and Adjacent Regions. – Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 91. Article 9127:1-15. DOI: 10.5586/asbp.9127

Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt K., Pliszko A., Barabasz-Krasny B., Bomanowska A., Dajdok Z., Gudžinskas Z., Kucharczyk M., Maćkowiak Ł., Majk J., Możdżeń K., Podgórska M., Rasimavičius M., Rewicz A., Szczęśniak E., Wójcik T., Stachurska-Swakoń A. The Relationships of Habitat Conditions, Height Level, and Geographical Position with Fruit and Seed Traits in Populations of Invasive Vine Echinocystis lobata (Cucurbitaceae) in Central and Eastern Europe. – Forests. 2022, 13, 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020256

Rimgailė‐Voicik R., Naujalis J.R. Techniques for locating and analyzing subterranean Lycopodium and Diphasiastrum gametophytes in the field. – Applications in Plant Sciences. 2022. 10(2): e11458. https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11458 Impact factor (2021): 2.511

Wolfe T.M., Hembach S., Petrašiūnas A., Juzėnas S., Stauffer C., Schuler H. First report of the American eastern cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Lithuania. – BioInvasions Records. 2022. 11(4): 893–899. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2022.11.4.08 Web of Science 2021 Impact Factor: 1.672

2021 

Arbačiauskas, K., Augutis, D., Balčiauskas, L., Bastytė-Cseh, D., Brazaitis, G., Budrys, E., Bukelskis, E., Dagys, M., Dapkus, D., Ferenca, R., Gudžinskas, Z., Iršėnaitė, R., Ivinskis, P., Jukonienė, I., Juškaitis, J., Karpavičienė, B., Kasparavičius, J., Kaupinis, A., Kesminas, V., Kurlavičius, P., Kutorga, E., Matulevičiūtė, D., Motiejūnaitė, J., Naujalis, J. R., Patalauskaitė, D., Petrulaitis, L., Prigodina Lukošienė, I., Rasimavičius, M., Rašomavičius, R. (vyr. red.), Raudonikis, L., Rimšaitė, J., Sendžikaitė, J., Sinkevičienė, Z., Skujienė, G., Stanevičius, V., Steponėnas, A., Stončius, D., Subkaitė, M., Tamutis, V., Treinys, R., Uogintas, D., Uselienė, A., Uselis, V., Ūsaitis, T., Vaitonis, G., Virbickas, T., Višinskienė, G., Žalneravičius, E. Lietuvos raudonoji knyga. Gyvūnai, augalai, grybai. Vilnius: Leidykla “Lututė”, 2021. ISBN 978-9955-37-230-1.

Gudžinskas, Z., Rasimavičius, M. Variation in hip and sepal parameters of invasive Rosa rugosa between sites and years. Botanica. 2021, 27(1): 1–12.

Gudyniene, V., Juzenas, S., Stukonis, V., Norkeviciene, E. Sowing mixtures of native plant species: are there any differences between hydroseeding and regular seeding? Plants. 2021, 10(11): 2507.

Venckus, P., Cicchi, B., Chini Zittelli, G. Effects of medium salinity on growth and biochemical composition of the green microalga Tetraselmis suecica. Journal of Applied Phycology. 2021, 33: 3555–3563.

2020 

Konferencija, skirta profesoriaus Antano Minkevičiaus 120-osioms gimimo metinėms paminėti. 2020 m. gruodžio 10 d. Vilniaus universitetas, Vilnius. Konferencijos medžiaga / Kutorga E. (atsak. red.). – Vilnius: Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, 2020. ISBN 978-609-07-0555-1.

Kutorga, E. Lietuvos grybai (Mycota Lithuaniae), Volume 3, Book 6: Inoperkuliniai diskomicetai (Discomycetes inoperculatae). Vilnius: Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, 2020. ISBN 978-609-07-0390-8.

Tupčiauskaitė, J.; Rimgailė-Voicik, R. Professor Povilas Snarskis – life dedicated to the research of Lithuanian flora. Botanica. 2020, 26(1): 101–108.

Tupčiauskaitė, J.; Rimgailė-Voicik, R.; Rasimavičius, M. Newly discovered Poaceae specimens in the Herbarium of Vilnius University collected by Povilas Snarskis (1889–1969). Botanica. 2020, 26(2): 138–149.

2019 

Iršėnaitė R., Arslanova T., Kasparavičius J., Kutorga E., Markovskaja S., Matulevičiūtė D., Taraškevičius R., Motiejūnaitė J. Effects of a great cormorant colony on wood-inhabiting fungal communities in a coastal Scots pine forest. Fungal Ecology. 2019, 41: 82–91.

Schnittler, M., Horn, K., Kaufmann, R., Rimgailė-Voicik, R., Klahr, A., Bog, M., Fuchs, J., Bennert, H. W. Genetic diversity and hybrid formation in Central European club-mosses (Diphasiastrum, Lycopodiaceae) – New insights from cp microsatellites, two nuclear markers and AFLP. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2019, 131: 181–192.

2018 

Venckus P., Paliulis S., Kostkevičiene J., Dementjev A. CARS microscopy of scytonemin in cyanobacteria Nostoc commune. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy. 2018, 49(8): 1333-1338. DOI: 10.1002/jrs.5388.

Jukonienė I., Rasimavičius M., Ričkienė A., Subkaitė M. S. B. Gorski’s Bryological Collection in the Herbarium of Vilnius University. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 2018, 87(3): 3588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5586/asbp.3588.

Motiejūnaitė J., Buožytė R., Adamonytė G., Iršėnaitė R., Kasparavičius J., Kutorga E., Markovskaja S., Stakėnas V. and Klyukina E. Residual effect of induced water stress and nitrogen addition on the mycobiota in Scots pine stands. Russian Journal of Ecology. 2018, 49 (3): 226–231. DOI: 10.1134/S1067413618030050.

2017 

Gudžinskas, Z., Rasimavičius, M. The distribution, state and conservation of Equisetum telmateia in Lithuania. Botanica Lithuanica. 2017, 23(1): 17–32.

Venckus, P., Kostkevičienė, J., Bendikienė, V. The cultivation of green algae Chlorella vulgaris in municipal wastewater and its biomass composition. J Environ Eng Landsc. 2017, 25(1): 56–63.

Motiejūnaitė, J., Markovskaja, S., Kutorga, E., Iršėnaitė, R., Kasparavičius, J., Kačergius, A., Lygis V. Alien fungi in Lithuania: list of species, current status and trophic structure. Botanica Lithuanica. 2017, 23(2): 139–152.

 

Plant genetics

Butkuvienė J, Sinkevičienė Z, Naugžemys D, Patamsytė J, Žvingila D. Genetic diversity of Batrachium (Ranunculaceae) species reveals the necessity of their protection in Lithuanian rivers. Aquatic Botany. 2017; 142:61-70 (IF=1,714; Q2)

Šiukšta R, Vaitkūnienė V, Kaselytė G, Okockytė V, Žukauskaitė J, Žvingila D, Rančelis V. Inherited phenotype instability of inflorescence and floral organ development in homeotic barley double mutants and its specific modification by auxin inhibitors and 2,4-D. Annals of Botany. 2015; 115: 651-63 (IF=4,041; Q1)

Rancelis V, Cesniene T, Kleizaite V, Zvingila D, Balciuniene L. Influence of cobalt uptake into Vicia faba seeds on chlorophyll morphosis induction, SOD polymorphism and DNA methylation. Environmental Toxicology. 2012; 27(1):32-41 (IF=2,937; Q2)

Rancelis V, Cesniene T, Zvingila D, Barysas D, Balciuniene L, Dapkuniene S. Polymorphism of response to cobalt excess in individual Vicia faba plants. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 2006; 55:221-34 (IF=4,369; Q1)

Kleizaite V., Cesniene T., Rancelis V. The use of cobalt-induced chlorophyll morphoses for studying Co²⁺ interactions with cysteine and SOD. Plant Science. 2004; 167:1249-56 (IF=3,437; Q1)

Genotoxicology

Kundrotas G, Gasperskaja E, Slapsyte G, Gudleviciene Z, Krasko J, Stumbryte A, Liudkeviciene R. Identity, proliferation capacity, genomic stability and novel senescence markers of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from low volume of human bone marrow. Oncotarget. 2016; 7:10788-802 (IF=5,168; Q1)

Jones N, Ougham H, Thomas H, Pasakinskiene I. Markers and mapping revisited: finding your gene. New Phytologist. 2009; 183(4): 935-966 (IF=7,33; Q1)

Bonassi S, Norppa H, Ceppi M, Stromberg U, Vermeulen R, Znaor A, Cebulska-Wasilewska A, Fabianova E, Fucic A, Gundy S, Hansteen IL, Knudsen LE, Lazutka J, Rossner P, Sram RJ, Boffetta P. Chromosomal aberration frequency in lymphocytes predicts the risk of cancer: results from a pooled cohort study of 22 358 subjects in 11 countries. Carcinogenesis. 2008; 29:1178-83 (IF=5,105; Q1)

Lazutka JR, Mierauskienė J, Slapšytė G, Dedonytė G. Genotoxicity of dill (Anethum graveolens L.), peppermint (Mentha ´ piperita L.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) essential oils in human lymphocytes and Drosophila melanogaster. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2001; 39:485-92 (IF=3,778; Q1)

Human genome

Demidenko R, Daniunaite K, Bakavicius A, Sabaliauskaite R, Skeberdyte A, Petroska D, Laurinavicius A, Jankevicius F, Lazutka JR, Jarmalaite S. Decreased expression of MT1E is a potential biomarker of prostate cancer progression. Oncotarget. 2017; 8:61709-18 (IF=5,168; Q1)

Daniunaite K, Dubikaityte M, Gibas P, Lazutka JR, Bakavicius A, Ulys A, Jankevicius F, Jarmalaite S. Clinical significance of microRNA host gene promoter methylation in prostate cancer. Hum Mol Genet. 2017; 26(13):2451-61 (IF=5,340; Q1)

Stuopelyte K, Daniunaite K, Bakavicius A, Lazutka JR, Jankevicius F, Jarmalaite S. The utility of urine-circulating miRNAs for detection of prostate cancer. Br J Cancer. 2016; 115(6):707-15 (IF=6,176; Q1)

Daniunaite K, Jarmalaite S Kalinauskaite N, Petroska D, Laurinavicius A, Lazutka JR, and Jankevicius F. Prognostic value of RASSF1 promoter methylation in prostate cancer. Journal Urology. 2014; 192:1-7 (IF=4,360; Q1).