About Us

History

 

 

Although the history of  VU LSC starts in March 2016 after official opening ceremony of the Life Sciences Center,  the origins of LSC date back to 1781 when VU Faculty of Natural Sciences was established. Since then the faculty grew in research fields and number of departments.

In the middle of summer 2013, it was decided to build brand new facilities with innovative infrastructure that would accommodate not just all departments of biosciences but also two scientifically relative institutes: the Institute of Biochemistry (founded in 1967) and the Institute of Biotechnology (founded in 1975).

Letter to the future generations was buried in the capsule on November 14,  2013. The Center was finished in December 2015, while the first students and scientists settledin in February 2016. The project of VU LSC was led by Professor Juozas Rimantas Lazutka.

The Center has strengthened research, studies and technological advance in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, neurobiology, molecular medicine and related areas. 

 

 

Facts and Figures

 

• VU LSC occupies 24 thousand square metres

• about 800 students, 120 PhD students and 200 scientific-educational staff

• 24 fully equipped rooms, 10 trainee scientific laboratories, 3 computer rooms, 23 modern open access laboratories, also places for individual studies

• VU LSC holds Vilnius University Museum of Zoology and Herbarium

• 9 open access expansion centers for biotechnology and molecular medicine research and experiments

 

Facilities

 

WiFi, multimedia, LCD, board, microphone, business equipment, video conference equipment, computer, day light, computer classes, facilitiesfor disabled, technical assistance, air conditioning, inner yard, parking.

 

VU LSC-EMBL Partnership                       

 

On September 8, Director General of the elite European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Prof. Edith Heard signed an agreement with Vilnius University (VU) on the establishment of a Partnership Institute in the Life Sciences Center (LSC) of VU.

This is an extraordinary achievement in the history of Lithuanian science.

EMBL is the world’s leading laboratory for life sciences with five branches in the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy.

The centers of the EMBL are equipped with the most modern life sciences research equipment and infrastructure needed for internationally competitive research and innovation. EMBL Heidelberg has light and electron microscopes, which allow implementing technologies that do not have analogs in Lithuania. EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton (UK) has pooled unique bioinformatics resources, and the EMBL Rome in Monterotondo (Italy) specialises in the development of mouse models used in biomedical research. This center includes infrastructure for gene modification, transgenic manipulation and histological testing of tissues and cells.

Membership of the EMBL brings great benefits to Lithuanian researchers. Lithuania has been granted access to all the EMBL services and programs, and Lithuania has the right to vote in the decision-making process of the organisation regarding its activities. Direct contacts with the representatives of the EMBL allow submitting international applications for research funding.

The new institute without analogues in Lithuania will employ six high-level groups of international researchers, developing and strengthening gene-editing technology. One of the creators of this technology is a renowned Lithuanian scientist, VU LSC Professor Virginijus Šikšnys.

 

Staff                 

 

 

Studies                                 

 

The main reasons to study at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC):

VU LSC is a key player in the field of life sciences due to modern infrastructure, highly qualified and prominent scientists in biotechnology, biochemistry and biosciences, cooperation with recognized international research institutions and business partners.

Our studies based on: theory and practical assignments at modern scientific laboratories, possibility to carry out final projects at scientific institutes, scholarships by the world leading scientific company Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics.

Close relations with life sciences industry ensures possibility to gain practical experience in industry during your studies.

VU LSC ensures mentoring by field leading scientists - teaching and mentoring by professionals in your field of interest and receive personalized support from academic tutors.

We are committed in our aim to provide all students with an exceptional learning experience!