Biokinetics (in general), enzymes' catalysis (focusing upon mechanistic aspects of flavoenzymes' action), enzymatically mediated reductive conversion of the redox-active xenobiotics (diverse structure quinoids, nitroaromatic-/nitroaliphatic-, N-oxide based compounds involving chemotherapeutics and their analogs). Cytotoxic/antibacterial action of the aforementioned compounds used alone or in combination with conventional drugs. Quantum mechanical computation of the compounds, including conceptual density functional theory (c-DFT) (assessment of global and regional/local reactivity indices). (Quantitative) structure-activity relationship ((Q)SAR) and molecular modeling studies. The application of photodynamic therapy to combat germs.
Present Position:
Senior Researcher, Vilnius University, Life Science Center, Institute of Biochemistry
Education:
1991 - Biochemistry, Vilnius University, Faculty of Chemistry 1996 - PhD in Natural Sciences: Biology (Biochemistry), Vilnius University, Institute of Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology
Experience (Past Positions):
Scientific research, project management, supervision for undergraduate and graduate students, reviewing manuscripts (International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS), Molecules, Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry (JHC), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (BMC), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemical Letters (BMCL), Chemija, and others). Research activities at the universities of Zaragoza (Spain), Wageningen (Netherlands), Nancy H. Poincaré, and Paris Orsay (France).
(Cyto)toxicity and enzymatic activity of redox-active xenobiotics (Summer practice courses)
1996–2000 - Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project “Laser photosensitization in tumour therapy”, team member. 2002 - Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project “Light in biomedicine”, team member. 2004 - Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project No.T-69/04 "The substrate specificity and reaction mechanisms of PETN reductase", team member. 2005 - Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project „Novel high energy nitroaromatic compounds: investigation of their oxidation properties“ (T-05153, Nr. T-25/05), team member. 2004–2005 - NATO Collaborative Linkage Grant No. LST.CLG 97882 (on enzymatic, cytotoxicity, and radiolysis studies of nitroaromatic explosives), team member. 2005–2006 - A scientific program "Modern Technologies for Microbiological Safety of Prepared Food" (SAUMA), partial coordinator. 2007–2009 - Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project „Development of biocatalysts and biocatalytic processes"(2 x Biokat), researcher. 2009 Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation project (T-80/09) „Interaction of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) with anticancer agents", coordinator. 2008–2011 - COST Action CM0603 “Free Radicals in Chemical Biology”, National representative, member of the MC. 2009–2010 - Collaborative Gilibert grant „Characterization of Thermatoga maritima peroxyredoxin-nitro reductase hybrid enzyme activity“, participant. 2011–2012 - Lithuanian Research Council project (MIP-080/2011) „Heterocyclic N-Oxides: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, and Interaction with Target Enzymes“, researcher. 2013–2014 - Lithuania-Belarus programme "The characterization of the inter-protein interaction and the modulators of the redox equivalent transfer in steroid hydroxylation systems", coordinator. 2013–2014 - Collaborative Gilibert grant "Quinones and nitroaromatic chemicals as subversive substrates of flavohemoglobin: processes and biological importance", researcher. 2014–2016 - Lithuanian Research Council project MIP-032/2014 „New generation N-heterocyclic quinones: Rational synthesis and elucidation of anticancer activity“, coordinator. 2018–2021 - Redox chemistry, biochemistry, and cytotoxicity of aromatic nitrocompounds and N-oxides: new insights (No. DOTSUT-34/09.33-LMT-K712-01-0058), researcher. 2020–2021 - "Smart Membranes for Electrochemical Devices" (No. DOTSUT-11 (01.2.2-LMT-K-718-01-0063), researcher.
