Dovydas Gabrielaitis, a doctoral student of the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU LSC) has defended his dissertation "The investigation of the factors modulating macrophage endocytosis: macrophage type, age, plasma membrane tension" to be granted a PhD in biophysics. Dr Urtė Neniškytė was his PhD supervisor.
D. Gabrielaitis made research on macrophages.
Macrophages are essential for the immune response: they remove cellular debris, pathogens and foreign bodies, thus maintaining tissue homeostasis and protecting the body against infections. The efficiency of macrophage phagocytosis depends on the molecular composition of the object to be removed and other factors including age, macrophage type, and inflammatory state. When developing new drug carriers, it is essential to understand what determines the phagocytic activity of macrophages for this target.
The Dissertation Supervisory Board was composed of Dr. Vilma Kisnierienė (chairwoman, VU LSC), Dr. Vitalijus Karabanovas (National Cancer Institute), Dr. Tarja Malm (The University of Eastern Finland, Finland), Dr. Gulio Preta (VU LSC), Dr. Marijonas Tutkus (VU LSC).
