Name and Surname of the Supervisor: dr. Liepa Gasiulė
Institution (Company), Department: Biotechnologijos institutas
Preliminary Topic The Impact of Methionine Restriction on Cancer Cells
Short Description of the Internship Work: Methionine is not only essential for protein synthesis but also plays a role in several other vital metabolic processes, including the methionine cycle, which regulates the availability of methyl donors within the cell and, consequently, influences DNA and histone methylation. Although methionine is essential for cell survival, an increasing number of studies have highlighted its importance in the context of various diseases, particularly cancer.
A methionine-restricted (MR) diet has shown promising anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Growing evidence suggests that MR can inhibit tumor growth and enhance the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments, making methionine restriction an actively investigated potential adjuvant therapeutic strategy for cancer.
During the practical training, the student will acquire hands-on experience in cancer cell culture, RNA, DNA, and protein extraction from cells, Western blot analysis, RNA and DNA purification, qPCR analysis, and other molecular biology techniques.
Useful links: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1730639/full
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949713225000023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38943667/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17501911.2025.2500914
Qualification Requirements (Degree): Bakalaurantas(-ė) / BSc, Magistrantas(-ė) / MSc,
Application Deadline: 2026-09-30
Additional Comments: Students wishing to do an internship are asked to send their study results immediately.