Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology

About

Microbial diversity both genetic and biochemical is incredible resource of different proteins and biocatalysts. Analysis and exploration of such diversity is one of the main aim of our group. The studies are concentrated in several fields.

The first one is related to isolation of N-heterocyclic compounds-utilising microorganisms and investigation of catabolic pathways of these compounds in individual bacteria. Both genetic and biochemical characterization of bioconversion processes are carried out. The identified novel oxygenases as well as other enzymes participating in the biodegradation are tested as biocatalysts for organic chemistry.

The modified nucleotides are ones of the many substrates, whose catabolism is being elucidated. In addition, the studies of biosynthetic pathways of wyosine, a modified nucleotide base, is also our activity.

Screening of novel enzymes is also carried out by application of metagenomic techniques, specific and effective selection systems combined with tailored substrates. In cooperation with other groups both from Vilnius University and international, the screened enzymes are used for development of biosensors, biofuel-cells and for synthesis of industry-related chemical compounds.

The second major field of our activities is associated with studies of bacteriophages active towards various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. We are interested in elucidation of structural diversity of bacteriophages, initial stages of the infection process and the identification of self-assembling proteins applicable for construction of the hybrid nanoparticles.

We are experts in discovering of enzymes including hydrolases, oxidoreductases and transaminases. Metagenomic libraries combined with the “smart” substrates that are developed and synthesized in our group is a technology, which offers an efficient screening and selection of novel biocatalysts applicable for bioconversion, organic syntheses and development of biosensors as well as biofuel cells. Our team is also skilled in isolation and identification of bacteriophages as a source of proteins predisposed to form self-assembling structures and important for the biomedical application.

Projects

Reseach Council of Lithuania

Researcher groups projects

• Deaminase Promiscuity: characterization of novel functionalities, project leader dr. Jonita Stankevičiūtė,  2022-2025.

List of past international and national projects:

Publications

1. Jamontas R., A. Laurinėnas,  Povilaitytė, R. Meškys, A. Aučynaitė. 2024. RudS: bacterial desulfidase responsible for tRNA 4-thiouridine de-modification. Nucleic Acids Research, gkae716, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae716
2. Krupinskaitė A., R. Stanislauskienė, P. Serapinas, R. Rutkienė, R. Gasparavičiūtė, R. Meškys. 2024. α-L-Fucosidases from an alpaca faeces metagenome: characterisation of hydrolytic and transfucosylation potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(2): 809.
3. Kunevičius A., M. Sadauskas, J. Raudytė, R. Meškys, A. Burokas. 2024. Unraveling the dynamics of host-microbiota indole metabolism: an investigation of indole, indolin-2-one, isatin, and 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one.Molecules 29(2): 993.
4. Plakys G., N. Urbelienė, G. Urbelis, J. Vaitekūnas, L. Labanauskas, E. Mažonienė, R. Meškys.2024. Conversion of β-1,6-glucans to gentiobiose using an endo-β-1,6-glucanase PsGly30A from Paenibacillus sp. GKG. Chembiochem 25(8): DOI 10.1002/cbic.202400010.
5. Skowron M., B. Lubkowska, I. Sobolewski, A. Zylicz-Stachula, M. Šimoliūnienė, E. Šimoliūnas. 2024.Bacteriophages of thermophilic 'Bacillus group' bacteria-a systematic review, 2023 update. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(6): 3125.
6. Žalneravičius R., A. Naujokaitis, V. Jasulaitienė, R. Rutkienė, R. Meškys, Dagys M. 2024. A 2D-to-3D morphology transitions of gold in organic acid electrolytes: Characterization and application in bioanode design. Applied Surface Science 642: 158654.

About

About

Microbial diversity both genetic and biochemical is incredible resource of different proteins and biocatalysts. Analysis and exploration of such diversity is one of the main aim of our group. The studies are concentrated in several fields.

The first one is related to isolation of N-heterocyclic compounds-utilising microorganisms and investigation of catabolic pathways of these compounds in individual bacteria. Both genetic and biochemical characterization of bioconversion processes are carried out. The identified novel oxygenases as well as other enzymes participating in the biodegradation are tested as biocatalysts for organic chemistry.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The modified nucleotides are ones of the many substrates, whose catabolism is being elucidated. In addition, the studies of biosynthetic pathways of wyosine, a modified nucleotide base, is also our activity.

Screening of novel enzymes is also carried out by application of metagenomic techniques, specific and effective selection systems combined with tailored substrates. In cooperation with other groups both from Vilnius University and international, the screened enzymes are used for development of biosensors, biofuel-cells and for synthesis of industry-related chemical compounds.

The second major field of our activities is associated with studies of bacteriophages active towards various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. We are interested in elucidation of structural diversity of bacteriophages, initial stages of the infection process and the identification of self-assembling proteins applicable for construction of the hybrid nanoparticles.

  

 

 

 

 

We are experts in discovering of enzymes including hydrolases, oxidoreductases and transaminases. Metagenomic libraries combined with the “smart” substrates that are developed and synthesized in our group is a technology, which offers an efficient screening and selection of novel biocatalysts applicable for bioconversion, organic syntheses and development of biosensors as well as biofuel cells. Our team is also skilled in isolation and identification of bacteriophages as a source of proteins predisposed to form self-assembling structures and important for the biomedical application.

Projects

Projects

Reseach Council of Lithuania

Researcher groups projects

• Deaminase Promiscuity: characterization of novel functionalities, project leader dr. Jonita Stankevičiūtė,  2022-2025.

List of past international and national projects:

• International projects        
• National projects        

International projects

Horizon 2020

• Industrial Applications of Marine Enzymes: Innovative screening and expression platforms to discover and use the functional protein diversity from the sea (INMARE) , partners - VU institute of Biochemistry,  project leader  dr. Rolandas Meškys, coordinator - Bangor University, 2015 – 2019. 
  Societal Challenges, Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy, Innovation Action, IA.

National projects

Central Project Management Agency

• "Center for Engineering of the Next-Generation Enzymes (TVIRTAS)", No. 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703-03-0023, prof. Rolandas Meškys, 2020-2023

Reseach Council of Lithuania

Targeted Research in Smart Specialization Areas 

• Enzyme Toolkit for the Synthesis of Fucosylated Oligosaccharides, No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-03-0045. Dr J. Stankevičiūtė. 2020–2023.
• Selective Enzymatic System for Prodrug Activation, No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-03-0082. Dr. R. Meškys. 2020–2023.

National research programm Healthy ageing

• "Savaime susirenkantys fagų baltymai tikslinei nanomedicinai", projekto vadovė dr. Vida Časaitė, 2020-2021.
• Novel prodrug activation systems for cancer genotherapy dr. J. Urbonavičius, 2015-2018 m.

National research programm Sustainability of agro, forest and water ecosystems 

• Agroecosystems Microbiota under Climate Change: Structure and Concordance Mechanisms, dr. L. Kalinienė, project leader dr. E. Servienė (GTC), 2015-2018 m.

National research programm Healthy and Safe Food 

• "Patogeninių bakterijų detekcija maisto grandinėje molekuliniais metodais", dr. E. Sužiedėlienė, VU GMF, projekto vykdytojas dr. R. Meškys, 2012-2015 m.
• "Development of novel prebiotic oligosaccharides using thermophilic enzymes, dr. R. Meškys (project leader VU GMF, dr. N. Kuisienė), 2011-2014 m.

Global grant measure

• Change or die: redesign of oxidoreductases (CHORD), Dr. R. Meškys. 2013–2015.

 

Research groups projects

• Diversity and distribution of viruses infecting sulfur metabolising bacteria. Dr. Eugenijus Šimoliūnas, 2020-2022. 
• Molecular mechanisms of adaptation of low-temperature phages to the mesophilic host. Dr. Laura Kaliniene, 2019-2022.
• Phage Proteins for Targeted Nanomedicine, No. P-SEN-20-34. Dr V. Časaitė. 2020–2021.
•  Research and practical applications of a type I‐F CRISPR‐Cas system (No. S-MIP-17-47), dr. G. Tamulaitienė (Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, VU), participant - dr. L. Truncaitė (Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, VU), 2017–2020.
• Bacteriophage control of nitrogen cycling in cyanobacteria: from cells to community, dr. S. Šulčius, Natural research Centre,, BCHI leader, dr. E. Šimoliūnas, 2017-2020.
•  The role of atmospheric nitrogen fixation in the largest eutroficated European lagoon, dr. M. Žilius, Klaipėda university, BCHI leader dr. R. Stanislauskienė. 2017-2020.
• tRNA modification pathways – evidence of the enzyme evolution, dr. J. Urbonavičius, 2012-2014 m.
• Proteogenomics of the early infection stages of virulent Escherichia coli bacteriophages, dr. L. Truncaitė, 2014-2016 m.
• Development of methods for screening and expression of Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases, dr. R.Meškys, 2012-2014 m.
• Screening and analysis of novel enzymes participating in catabolism of modified uracil base and nucleosides, dr. J. Urbonavičius, 2015 -2018 m.
• Pyridines and Pyrazines: Biodegradation and Biocatalytic Synthesis, dr. R. Meškys, 2011-2012 m.

Contractual Research:

Bayer Technology Services GmbH (Germany), Amilina AB (Lithuania), Baxalta Innovation GmbH (Austria). Dr. R. Meškys.

 

 

Publications

Publications

 

1. Jamontas R., A. Laurinėnas,  Povilaitytė, R. Meškys, A. Aučynaitė. 2024. RudS: bacterial desulfidase responsible for tRNA 4-thiouridine de-modification. Nucleic Acids Research, gkae716, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae716
2. Krupinskaitė A., R. Stanislauskienė, P. Serapinas, R. Rutkienė, R. Gasparavičiūtė, R. Meškys. 2024. α-L-Fucosidases from an alpaca faeces metagenome: characterisation of hydrolytic and transfucosylation potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(2): 809.
3. Kunevičius A., M. Sadauskas, J. Raudytė, R. Meškys, A. Burokas. 2024. Unraveling the dynamics of host-microbiota indole metabolism: an investigation of indole, indolin-2-one, isatin, and 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one.Molecules 29(2): 993.
4. Plakys G., N. Urbelienė, G. Urbelis, J. Vaitekūnas, L. Labanauskas, E. Mažonienė, R. Meškys.2024. Conversion of β-1,6-glucans to gentiobiose using an endo-β-1,6-glucanase PsGly30A from Paenibacillus sp. GKG. Chembiochem 25(8): DOI 10.1002/cbic.202400010.
5. Skowron M., B. Lubkowska, I. Sobolewski, A. Zylicz-Stachula, M. Šimoliūnienė, E. Šimoliūnas. 2024.Bacteriophages of thermophilic 'Bacillus group' bacteria-a systematic review, 2023 update. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(6): 3125.
6. Žalneravičius R., A. Naujokaitis, V. Jasulaitienė, R. Rutkienė, R. Meškys, Dagys M. 2024. A 2D-to-3D morphology transitions of gold in organic acid electrolytes: Characterization and application in bioanode design. Applied Surface Science 642: 158654.

2023

1. Daliri E. B.-M., T. Balnionytė, J. Stankevičiūtė, E. Lastauskienė, R. Meškys, A. Burokas. 2023. High temperature lacto-fermentation improves antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of Lithuanian red beetroot. LWT – Food Science and Technology 185: 115122.
2. Fuchs J., R. Jamontas, M.H. Hoock, J. Oltmanns, B. Golinelli-Pimpaneau, V. Schuenemann, A.J. Pierik, R. Meškys, A. Aučynaitė, M. Boll. 2023. TudS desulfidases recycle 4-thiouridine-5'-monophosphate at a catalytic [4Fe-4S] cluster. Communications Biology 6(1): 1092.
3. Gabrielaitis D., V. Žitkutė, L. Saveikytė, G. Labutytė, M. Skapas, R. Meškys, V. Časaitė, A. Sasnauskienė, U. Neniškytė. 2023. Nanotubes from bacteriophage tail sheath proteins: internalisation by cancer cells and macrophages. Nanoscale Advances 5(14): 3705-3716.
4. Malunavičius V., A. Padaiga, J. Stankevičiūtė, A. Pakalniškis, R. Gudiukaitė. 2023. Engineered Geobacillus lipolytic enzymes - attractive polyesterases that degrade polycaprolactones and simultaneously produce esters. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 253(8): 127656
5. Megur A., E.B.-M. Daliri, T. Balnionytė, J. Stankevičiūtė, E. Lastauskienė, A. Burokas. 2023. In vitro screening and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from Lithuanian fermented food with potential probiotic properties. Frontiers in Microbiology 14:1213370.
6. Noreika A., R. Rutkienė, I. Dumalakienė, R. Vilienė, A. Laurynėnas, S. Povilonienė, M. Skapas, R. Meškys, L. Kalinienė. 2023. Insights into the alcyoneusvirus adsorption complex. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(11): 9320.
7. Noreika A., J. Stankevičiūtė, R. Rutkienė, R. Meškys, L. Kalinienė. 2023. Exploring the enzymatic activity of depolymerase gp531 from Klebsiellapneumoniae jumbo phage RaK2. Virus Research 336: 199225
8. Preitakaitė V., P. Barasa, A. Aučynaitė, G. Plakys, M. Koplūnaitė, S. Zubavičiūtė, R. Meškys. 2023. Bacterial amidohydrolases and modified 5-fluorocytidine compounds: novel enzyme-prodrug pairs. Plos One 18(11): e0294696
9. Sadauskas M., M. Jakutis, V. Petkevičius, M. Malikėnas, V. Preitakaitė, J. Vaitekūnas, R. Meškys. 2023. Biocatalytic synthesis of asymmetric water-soluble indirubin derivatives. Dyes and Pigments 219: 111585.
10. Statkevičius R., J. Vaitekūnas, R. Stanislauskienė, R. Meškys. 2023. Metagenomic type IV aminotransferases active toward (R)-methylbenzylamine. Catalysts 13(3): 587.
11. Šimoliūnas E., M. Šimoliūnienė, G. Laskevičiūtė, K. Kvederavičiūtė, M. Skapas, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, R. Meškys, N. Kuisienė. 2023. Geobacillus bacteriophages from compost heaps: representatives of three new genera within thermophilic siphoviruses. Viruses-Basel 15(8): 1691.
12. Urbelienė N., M. Tiškus, G. Tamulaitienė, R. Gasparavičiūtė, R. Lapinskaitė, V. Jauniškis, J. Sūdžius, R. Meškienė, D. Tauraitė, E. Skrodenytė, G. Urbelis, J. Vaitekūnas, R. Meškys. 2023. Cytidine deaminases catalyze the conversion of N( S, O)4-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides. Science Advances 9(5): eade4361.

2022

1.  Imklin N., P. Chaengphaniad, E. Šimoliūnas, R. Nasanit. 2022. A novel Staphylococcus phage, vB_Sau-RP15, and its application in contaminated milk. Letters in Applied Microbiology. DOI 10.1093/lambio/ovac003. IF 2.813.
2. Juškauskas A., A. Zajančkauskaitė, R. Meškys, M. Ger, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, L. Truncaitė. 2022. Interaction between phage T4 protein RIII and host ribosomal protein S1 inhibits endoribonuclease RegB activation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23(16): 9483. IF 6,208.
3. Koplūnaitė M., K. Butkutė, D. Špelveris, N. Urbelienė, R. Meškys. 2022. Enzymatic synthesis of modified nucleoside 5′-monophosphates. Catalysts 12(11), 1401. IF 4,501
4. Petkevičius V., J. Vaitekūnas, M. Sadauskas, F. P. Schultes, D. Tischler, R. Meškys. 2022. The versatility of non-heme diiron monooxygenase PmlABCDEF: a single biocatalyst for a plethora of oxygenation reactions. Catalysis Science & Technology DOI 10.1039/d2cy01167k IF 6,177
5. Plakys G., R. Gasparavičiutė, J. Vaitekūnas, R. Rutkienė, R. Meškys. 2022. Characterization of Paenibacillus sp. GKG endo-beta-1, 3-glucanase, a member of family 81 glycoside hydrolases. Microorganisms 10 (10): 1930. IF 4.926 
6. Shafaat A., R. Žalneravičius, D. Ratautas, M. Dagys, R. Meškys, R. Rutkienė, J.F. Gonzalez-Martinez, J. Neilands, S. Bjorklund, J. Sotres, T. Ruzgas. 2022. Glucose-to-resistor transduction integrated into a radio-frequency antenna for chip-less and battery-less wireless sensing. ACS Sensors 7(4): 1222-1234. IF 9,618 Q1D1 Chem anal Q1 chem multid Q1 nanos nanotechn
7. Statkevičiūtė R., M. Sadauskas, J. Rainytė,  K. Kavaliauskaitė, R. Meškys. 2022. Comparative analysis of mesophilic YqfB-type amidohydrolases. Biomolecules 12(10): 1492. IF 6.064 
8. Šarlauskas J., J. Stankevičiūtė, J. Tamulienė. 2022. An efficient synthesis and preliminary investigation of novel 1,3-dihydro-2h-benzimidazol-2-one nitro and nitramino derivatives Materials 15(23): 8330. IF 3.748 
9. Tetianec L., I. Bratkovskaja, V. Časaitė, V. Gurevičienė, J. Razumienė, J. Stankevičiūtė, R. Meškys, M. Dagys, A. Laurynėnas. 2022. Efficient bi-enzymatic synthesis of aldonic acids. Green Chemistry 24(12): 4902-4908. IF 11.034.

2021

1. Kalinienė L., A. Noreika, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, E. Jurgelaitis, J. Lazutka, R. Meškienė, R. Meškys. 2021. Analysis of a novel bacteriophage vB_AchrS_AchV4 highlights the diversity of Achromobacter viruses. Viruses 13(3): 374. IF 5,818 
2. Krikštaponis A., G. Urbelis,  R. Meškys. 2021. The first step of biodegradation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in Pseudomonas mandelii 7HK4 depends on an alcohol dehydrogenase-type enzyme. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22(4): 1552.  IF 6,208 
3. Labutytė G., S. Povilonienė, E. Šimoliūnas, D. Gabrielaitis, M. Skapas, A. Noreika, R. Meškys, V. Časaitė. 2021. Functionalized protein nnotubes based on the bacteriophage vB_KleM-RaK2 tail sheath protein. Nanomaterials 11(11): 3031. IF 5.719 
4. Lastauskienė E., V. Valskys, J. Stankevičiūtė, V. Kalcienė, V. Gėgžna, J. Kavoliunas, M. Ružauskas, J. Armalytė. 2021. TThe impact of intensive fish farming on pond sediment microbiome and antibiotic resistance gene composition.Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 673756 IF 3,471
5. Petkevičius V., J. Vaitekūnas, R. Gasparavičiūtė, D. Tauraitė, R. Meškys. 2021. An efficient and regioselective biocatalytic synthesis of aromatic N-oxides by using a soluble di-iron monooxygenase PmlABCDEF produced in the Pseudomonas species. Microbial Biotechnology 14(4): 1771-1783. IF 6,575
6. Radveikienė I., R. Vidžiūnaitė, R. Meškienė, R. Meškys, V. Časaitė. 2021. Characterization of a yellow laccase from Botrytis cinerea 241. Journal of Fungi 7(2): 143. IF 5,724
7. Repečka D., V. Jauniškis, L. Karpus, E. Rembeza, I. Rokaitis, J. Zrimec, S. Povilonienė, A. Laurynėnas, S. Viknander, W. Abuajwa, O. Savolainen, R. Meškys, M. K. M. Engqvist, A. Zelezniak. 2021. Expanding functional protein sequence spaces using generative adversarial networks. Nature Machine Intelligence 3(4): 324-333. IF 25.898 
8. Rinkūnaitė I., Eg. Šimoliūnas, D. Bironaitė, R. Rutkienė, V. Bukelskienė, R. Meškys, J. Bogomolovas. 2021. The effect of a unique region of Parvovirus B19 capsid protein VP1 on endothelial cells. Biomolecules 11 (4):606. IF 6,064
9. Savickaitė A., G. Druteika, M. Sadauskas, V. Malunavičius, E. Lastauskienė, R. Gudiukaitė. 2021. Immobilized GDEst-95, GDEst-lip and GD-95RM lipolytic enzymes for continuous flow hydrolysis and transesterification reactions. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 168: 261-271. IF 8,025 
10. Savickaitė A., M. Sadauskas, R. Gudiukaitė. 2021. Study of individual domains' functionality in fused lipolytic biocatalysts based on Geobacillus lipases and esterases. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 173: 421-434. IF 8,025
11. Šakinytė I., M. Butkevičius, V. Gurevičienė, J. Stankevičiūtė, R. Meškys, J. Razumienė.2021. Reagentless D-tagatose biosensors based on the oriented immobilization of fructose dehydrogenase onto coated gold nanoparticles- or reduced graphene oxide-modified surfaces: application in a prototype bioreactor. Biosensors-Basel 11(11): 466. IF 5,743 
12. Šimoliūnienė M., D. Kazlauskas, A. Zajančkauskaitė, R. Meškys L.Truncaitė. 2021. Escherichia coli trxA gene as a molecular marker for genome engineering of felixounoviruses. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-General Subjects 1865(10): 129967. IF 4,117
13. Šimoliūnienė M., E. Žukauskienė, L.Truncaitė, L. Cui, G. Hutinet, D. Kazlauskas, A. Kaupinis, M. Skapas, V.d. Crécy-Lagard, P.C.Dedon, M. Valius, R. Meškys, E. Šimoliūnas. 2021. Pantoea bacteriophage vB_PagS_MED16—A siphovirus containing a 2′-deoxy-7-amido-7-deazaguanosine-modified DNA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22: 7333. IF 6,208 
14. Šulčius S., G. Alzbutas, V. Juknevičiūtė, E. Šimoliūnas, P. Venckus, M. Šimoliūnienė, R. Paškauskas. 2021. Exploring viral diversity in a gypsum karst lake ecosystem using targeted single-cell genomics. Genes 12(6): 886. IF 4.141
15. Voitechovic E., J. Stankevičiūtė, A.Vektarienė, G. Vektaris, R. Jančienė, N. Kuisienė, J. Razumienė, R. Meškys. 2021. Bioamperometric systems with fructose dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter japonicus for D-tagatose. Electroanalysis 33(6): 1393-1397. IF 3,077 
16. Zajančkauskaitė A., A. Noreika, R. Rutkienė, R. Meškys, L. Kalinienė. 2021. Low-temperature virus vB_EcoM_VR26 shows potential in biocontrol of STEC O26:H11. Foods 10(7): 1500. IF 5.561 
17. Zhou J., L. Pecqueur, A. Aučynaitė, J. Fuchs, R. Rutkienė, J. Vaitekūnas, R. Meškys, M. Boll, M. Fontecave, J. Urbonavičius, B. Golinelli-Pimpaneau. 2021. Structural evidence for a [4Fe‐5S] intermediate in the non‐redox desulfuration of thiouracil. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 60: 424-431 IF 16,823 
18. Zilius M., A. Samuilovienė, R. Stanislauskienė, E. Broman, S. Bonaglia, R. Meškys, A. Zaiko. 2021. Depicting temporal, functional and phylogenetic patterns in estuarine diazotrophic communities from environmental DNA and RNA. Microbial Ecology 81: 36-51.IF 4,192
19. Žukauskienė E., M. Šimoliūnienė, L. Truncaitė, M. Skapas, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, R. Meškys, E. Šimoliūnas. 2021. Pantoea bacteriophage vB_PagS_AAS23: a singleton of the Genus Sauletekiovirus. Microorganisms 9(3): 668. IF 4.926

2020

1. Časaitė V., R. Stanislauskienė, J. Vaitekūnas, D. Tauraitė, R. Rutkienė, R. Gasparavičiūtė, R. Meškys. 2020. Microbial degradation of pyridine: a complete pathway deciphered in Arthrobacter sp. 68b. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86(15): e00902-20. IF 4.79
2. Druteika G., M. Sadauskas, V. Malūnavičius, E. Lastauskienė, L. Taujenis, A. Gegeckas, R. Gudiukaitė. 2019. Development of a new Geobacillus lipase variant GDlip43 via directed evolution leading to identification of new activity-regulating amino acids. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 151: 1194-1204 IF 6.953
3. Druteika G., M. Sadauskas, V. Malūnavičius, E. Lastauskienė, R. Statkevičiūtė, A. Savickaitė, R. Gudiukaitė. 2020. New engineered Geobacillus lipase GD-95RM for industry focusing on the cleaner production of fatty esters and household washing product formulations. World Journal of Microbiology&Biotechnology 36(3): 41. IF 3.31
4. Gružauskaitė J., J. Jasinskaitė, R. Meškys, G. Gaidamavičienė, A. Žalga, A. Laurynėnas, L. Tetianec, M. Dagys. 2020. Gold-coated magnetic nanocatalyst containing wired oxidoreductases for mediatorless catalysis of carbohydrate oxidation by oxygen. Catalysis Communications 135: AN 105848 IF 3.62
5. Koplūnaitė M., K. Butkutė, R. Meškys, D. Tauraitė. 2020. Synthesis of pyrimidine nucleoside and amino acid conjugates. Tetrahedron Letters 61(49): AN 152598. IF 2.415
6. Kumar A., R. Gudiukaitė, A. Gricajeva, M. Sadauskas, V. Malunavičius, H. Kamyab, S. Sharma, T. Sharma, D. Pant. 2020. Microbial lipolytic enzymes - promising energy-efficient biocatalysts in bioremediation. Energy 192: 116674. IF 7,147
7. Kuznecova J., S. Šulčius, A. Vogts, M. Voss, K. Jürgens, E. Šimoliūnas. 2020. Nitrogen flow in diazotrophic cyanobacterium aphanizomenon flos-aquae is altered by cyanophage infection. Frontiers in Microbiology. 11: AN 2010.IF 5,639
8. Leonavičienė G., K. Leonavičius, R. Meškys, L. Mažutis. 2020. Multi-step processing of single cells using semi-permeable capsules. Lab on a Chip 20 (21): 4052-4062. IF 6,799
9. Noreika A., R. Meškys, J. Lazutka, L. Kalinienė. 2020. Complete genome sequence of Buttiauxellaphage vB_ButM_GuL6. Archives of Virology D166(11): 2685-2687. IF 2,574
10. Ramašauskas L., R. Meškys, D. Ratautas. 2020. Real-time glucose monitoring system containing enzymatic sensor and enzymatic reference electrodes. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 164: 112338. IF 10.61
11. Sadauskas M., R. Statkevičiūtė, J. Vaitekūnas, V. Petkevičius, V. Časaitė, R. Gasparavičiūtė, R. Meškys. 2020. Enzymatic synthesis of novel water-soluble indigoid compounds. Dyes and Pigments 173: AN 107882 IF 4.889
12. Sadauskas M., R. Statkevičiūtė, J. Vaitekūnas, R. Meškys. 2020. Bioconversion of Biologically Active Indole Derivatives with Indole-3-Acetic Acid-Degrading Enzymes from Caballeronia glathei DSM50014. Biomolecules 10: 663 IF 4.879
13. Stanislauskienė R., A. Laurynėnas, R. Rutkienė, A. Aučynaitė, D. Tauraitė, R. Meškienė, N. Urbelienė, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, L. Kalinienė, R. Meškys. 2020. YqfB protein from Escherichia coli: an atypical amidohydrolase active towards N4-acylcytosine derivatives. Scientific Reports 10:788. IF 4.37
14. Šimoliūnienė M., L. Truncaitė, E. Petrauskaitė, A. Zajančkauskaitė, R. Meškys, M. Skapas, A. Kaupinis, M. Valius, E. Šimoliūnas. 2020. Pantoea agglomerans-infecting bacteriophage vB_PagS_AAS21: a cold-adapted virus representing a novel genus within the family Siphoviridae. Viruses 12: 479. IF 5.048
15. Šimoliūnienė M., D. Tumėnas, K. Kvederavičiūtė, R. Meškys, S. Šulčius, E. Šimoliūnas. 2020. Complete genome sequence of Bacillus cereus bacteriophage vB_BceS_KLEB30-3S. Microbiology Resource Announcements 9: AN e00348-20
16. Truncaitė L., M. Šimoliūnienė, L. Alijošius, E. Petrauskaitė, L. Kiaušaitė, R. Meškys, M. Skapas, E. Šimoliūnas. 2020. Complete genome analysis of Pantoea agglomerans-infecting bacteriophage vB_PagM_AAM22. Archives of Virology 165(9): 2111-2114. IF 2.574
17. Urbelienė N., R. Meškienė, M. Tiškus, R. Stanislauskienė, A. Aučynaitė, A. Laurynėnas, R. Meškys. 2020. A rapid method for the selection of amidohydrolases from metagenomic libraries by applying synthetic nucleosides and a uridine auxotrophic host. Catalysts 10: 445. IF 4.146
18. Vaitekūnas J., R. Gasparavičiūtė, J. Stankevičiūtė, G. Urbelis, R. Meškys. 2020. Biochemical and genetic analysis of 4-hydroxypyridine catabolism in Arthrobacter sp. strain IN13. Microorganisms 8: 888. IF 4.128

1. Petkevičius V., J. Vaitekūnas, D. Tauraitė, J. Stankevičiūtė, D. Vaitkus, J. Šarlauskas, N. Čėnas, R. Meškys. Whole-Cell Biocatalysis Using PmlABCDEF Monooxygenase and Its Mutants: A Versatile Toolkit for Selective Synthesis of Aromatic N-Oxides. In Applied Biocatalysis: The Chemist’s Enzyme Toolbox, 528-533. Ed. J. Whittall, P. Sutton, John Wiley&Sons Ltd.

2019

1. Časaitė, V., Sadauskas, M., Vaitekūnas, J., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Meškienė, R., Skikaitė, I., Sakalauskas, M., Jakubovska, J., Tauraitė, D. and Meškys, R., 2019. Engineering of a chromogenic enzyme screening system based on an auxiliary indole‐3‐carboxylic acid monooxygenase. MicrobiologyOpen, p.e795. IF 2.738

2. Ferrer M., C. Méndez-García, R. Bargiela, J. Chow, S. Alonso, A. García-Moyano, G.E.K. Bjerga, I. H. Steen, T. Schwabe, C. Blom, J. Vester, A. Weckbecker, P. Shahgaldian, C.C.C.R. de Carvalho, R. Meškys, G. Zanaroli, F.O. Glöckne, A. Fernández-Guerra, S. Thambisetty, F. de la Calle, O.V. Golyshina, M.M Yakimov, K.E. Jaeger, A.F. Yakunin, W.R. Streit, O. McMeel, J.B. Calewaert, N. Tonné, P.N. Golyshin, 2018. Decoding the ocean's microbiological secrets for marine enzyme biodiscovery. FEMS microbiology letters, 366(1), p.fny285. IF 1.994

3. Gineitytė, J., Meškys, R., Dagys, M. and Ratautas, D., 2019. Highly efficient direct electron transfer bioanode containing glucose dehydrogenase operating in human blood. Journal of Power Sources, 441, p.227163. IF 7.467

4. Gordeeva, J., Morozova, N., Sierro, N., Isaev, A., Sinkunas, T., Tsvetkova, K., Matlashov, M., Truncaitė, L., Morgan, R.D., Ivanov, N.V. and Siksnys, V., 2018. BREX system of Escherichia coli distinguishes self from non-self by methylation of a specific DNA site. Nucleic acids research, 47(1), pp.253-265. IF 11.147

5. Gružauskaitė, J., Jasinskaitė, J., Meškys, R., Gaidamavičienė, G., Žalga, A., Laurynėnas, A., Tetianec, L. and Dagys, M., 2019. Gold-coated magnetic nanocatalyst containing wired oxidoreductases for mediatorless catalysis of carbohydrate oxidation by oxygen. Catalysis Communications, p.105848. IF 3.674

6. Jakubovska, J., Tauraitė, D. and Meškys, R., 2019. Transient N4‐acyl‐DNA protection against the cleavage by restriction endonucleases. ChemBioChem. IF 2.593

7. Kazlauskas, A., Darinskas, A., Meškys, R., Tamašauskas, A. and Urbonavičius, J., 2019. Isocytosine deaminase Vcz as a novel tool for the prodrug cancer therapy. BMC cancer, 19(1), p.197. IF 2.933

8. Krikstolaityte, V., Hamit-Eminovski, J., Abariute, L., Niaura, G., Meskys, R., Arnebrant, T., Lisak, G. and Ruzgas, T., 2019. Impact of molecular linker size on physicochemical properties of assembled gold nanoparticle mono-/multi-layers and their applicability for functional binding of biomolecules. Journal of colloid and interface science, 543, pp.307-316. IF 6.361

9. Petkevičius, V., Vaitekūnas, J., Tauraitė, D., Stankevičiūtė, J., Šarlauskas, J., Čėnas, N. and Meškys, R., 2019. A Biocatalytic Synthesis of Heteroaromatic N‐Oxides by Whole Cells of Escherichia coli Expressing the Multicomponent, Soluble Di‐Iron Monooxygenase (SDIMO) PmlABCDEF. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis. IF 5.451

10. Petkevičius, V., Vaitekūnas, J., Vaitkus, D., Čėnas, N. and Meškys, R., 2019. Tailoring a Soluble Diiron Monooxygenase for Synthesis of Aromatic N-oxides. Catalysts, 9(4), p.356. IF 3.444

11. Ramonas, E., Ratautas, D., Dagys, M., Meškys, R. and Kulys, J., 2019. Highly sensitive amperometric biosensor based on alcohol dehydrogenase for determination of glycerol in human urine. Talanta, 200, pp.333-339. IF 4.916

12. Sadauskas, M., Statkevičiūtė, R., Vaitekūnas, J., Petkevičius, V., Časaitė, V., Gasparavičiūtė, R. and Meškys, R., 2020. Enzymatic synthesis of novel water-soluble indigoid compounds. Dyes and Pigments, 173, p.107882. IF 4.018

13. Šimoliūnas, E., Truncaitė, L., Rutkienė, R., Povilonienė, S., Goda, K., Kaupinis, A., Valius, M. and Meškys, R., 2019. The robust self-assembling tubular nanostructures formed by gp053 from phage vB_EcoM_FV3. Viruses, 11(1), p.50. IF 3.811

14. Špakova, A., Šimoliūnas, E., Batiuškaitė, R., Pajeda, S., Meškys, R. and Petraitytė-Burneikienė, R., 2019. Self-Assembly of Tail Tube Protein of Bacteriophage vB_EcoS_NBD2 into Extremely Long Polytubes in E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Viruses, 11(3), p.208. IF 3.811

15. Šulčius, S., Šimoliūnas, E., Alzbutas, G., Gasiūnas, G., Jauniškis, V., Kuznecova, J., Miettinen, S., Nilsson, E., Meškys, R., Roine, E. and Paškauskas, R., 2019. Genomic characterization of cyanophage vB_AphaS-CL131 infecting filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae reveals novel insights into virus-bacterium interactions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 85(1), pp.e01311-18. IF 4.077

16. Urbelienė, N., Kutanovas, S., Meškienė, R., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Tauraitė, D., Koplūnaitė, M. and Meškys, R., 2019. Application of the uridine auxotrophic host and synthetic nucleosides for a rapid selection of hydrolases from metagenomic libraries. Microbial biotechnology, 12(1), pp.148-160. IF 4.857

2018

1. Ratautas, D., Ramonas, E., Marcinkevičienė, L., Meškys, R. and Kulys, J., 2018. Wiring Gold Nanoparticles and Redox Enzymes: A Self‐Sufficient Nanocatalyst for the Direct Oxidation of Carbohydrates with Molecular Oxygen. ChemCatChem, 10(5), pp.971-974.

2. Petkevičius, V., Vaitekūnas, J., Stankevičiūtė, J., Gasparavičiūtė, R. and Meškys, R., 2018. Catabolism of 2-hydroxypyridine by Burkholderia sp. MAK1: a five-gene cluster encoded 2-hydroxypyridine 5-monooxygenase HpdABCDE catalyses the first step of biodegradation. Applied and environmental microbiology, pp.AEM-00387.

3. Mikalkėnas, A., Ravoitytė, B., Tauraitė, D., Servienė, E., Meškys, R. and Serva, S., 2018. Conjugation of phosphonoacetic acid to nucleobase promotes a mechanism-based inhibition. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry, 33(1), pp.384-389.

4. Kaliniene, L., Truncaitė, L., Šimoliūnas, E., Zajančkauskaitė, A., Vilkaitytė, M., Kaupinis, A., Skapas, M. and Meškys, R., 2018. Molecular analysis of the low-temperature Escherichia coli phage vB_EcoS_NBD2. Archives of virology, 163(1), pp.105-114.

5. Aučynaitė, A., Rutkienė, R., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Meškys, R. and Urbonavičius, J., 2018. A gene encoding a DUF523 domain protein is involved in the conversion of 2‐thiouracil into uracil. Environmental microbiology reports, 10(1), pp.49-56.

6. Urbelienė, N., Kutanovas, S., Meškienė, R., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Tauraitė, D., Koplūnaitė, M. and Meškys, R., 2018. Application of the uridine auxotrophic host and synthetic nucleosides for a rapid selection of hydrolases from metagenomic libraries. Microbial biotechnology.

7. Šulčius, S., Šimoliūnas, E., Alzbutas, G., Gasiūnas, G., Jauniškis, V., Kuznecova, J., Miettinen, S., Nilsson, E., Meškys, R., Roine, E. and Paškauskas, R., 2018. Genomic characterization of cyanophage vB_AphaS-CL131 infecting filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae reveals novel insights into virus-bacterium interactions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., pp.AEM-01311.

8. Šulčius, S., Mazur-Marzec, H., Vitonytė, I., Kvederavičiūtė, K., Kuznecova, J., Šimoliūnas, E. and Holmfeldt, K., 2018. Insights into cyanophage-mediated dynamics of nodularin and other non-ribosomal peptides in Nodularia spumigena. Harmful algae, 78, pp.69-74.

9. Šimoliūnas, E., Šimoliūnienė, M., Kaliniene, L., Zajančkauskaitė, A., Skapas, M., Meškys, R., Kaupinis, A., Valius, M. and Truncaitė, L., 2018. Pantoea Bacteriophage vB_PagS_Vid5: A Low-Temperature Siphovirus That Harbors a Cluster of Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Archaeosine. Viruses, 10(11), p.583.

10. Šimkus, R., Meškienė, R., Aučynaitė, A., Ledas, Ž., Baronas, R. and Meškys, R., 2018. Phoretic interactions and oscillations in active suspensions of growing Escherichia coli. Royal Society open science, 5(5), p.180008.

11. Stanislauskienė, R., Kutanovas, S., Kalinienė, L., Bratchikov, M. and Meškys, R., 2018. Tetramethylpyrazine-Inducible Promoter Region from Rhodococcus jostii TMP1. Molecules, 23(7), p.1530.

12. Krikštaponis, A. and Meškys, R., 2018. Biodegradation of 7-Hydroxycoumarin in Pseudomonas mandelii 7HK4 via ipso-Hydroxylation of 3-(2, 4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-propionic Acid. Molecules, 23(10), p.2613.

13. Jakubovska, J., Tauraitė, D. and Meškys, R., 2018. A versatile method for the UVA-induced cross-linking of acetophenone-or benzophenone-functionalized DNA. Scientific reports, 8(1), p.16484.

14. Jakubovska, J., Tauraitė, D., Birštonas, L. and Meškys, R., 2018. N4-acyl-2′-deoxycytidine-5′-triphosphates for the enzymatic synthesis of modified DNA. Nucleic acids research.

15. Aučynaitė, A., Rutkienė, R., Tauraitė, D., Meškys, R. and Urbonavičius, J., 2018. Identification of a 2′-O-Methyluridine Nucleoside Hydrolase Using the Metagenomic Libraries. Molecules, 23(11), p.2904.

16. Aučynaitė, A., Rutkienė, R., Tauraitė, D., Meškys, R. and Urbonavičius, J., 2018. Discovery of bacterial deaminases that convert 5-fluoroisocytosine into 5-fluorouracil. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9.

2017

Sadauskas, M., Vaitekūnas, J., Gasparavičiūtė, R. and Meškys, R., 2017. Indole Biodegradation in Acinetobacter sp. Strain O153: Genetic and Biochemical Characterization. Applied and environmental microbiology, 83(19), pp.e01453-17.

Tauraitė, D., Jakubovska, J., Dabužinskaitė, J., Bratchikov, M. and Meškys, R., 2017. Modified Nucleotides as Substrates of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase. Molecules, 22(4), p.672.

Kaliniene, L., Šimoliūnas, E., Truncaitė, L., Zajančkauskaitė, A., Nainys, J., Kaupinis, A., Valius, M. and Meškys, R., 2017. Molecular analysis of Arthrobacter myovirus vB_ArtM-ArV1: we blame it on the tail. Journal of Virology, 91(8), pp.e00023-17.

Tetianec, L., Chaleckaja, A., Kulys, J., Janciene, R., Marcinkeviciene, L., Meskiene, R., Stankeviciute, J. and Meskys, R., 2017. Characterization of methylated azopyridine as a potential electron transfer mediator for electroenzymatic systems. Process Biochemistry, 54, pp.41-48.

Dagys, M., Laurynėnas, A., Ratautas, D., Kulys, J., Vidžiūnaitė, R., Talaikis, M., Niaura, G., Marcinkevičienė, L., Meškys, R. and Shleev, S., 2017. Oxygen electroreduction catalysed by laccase wired to gold nanoparticles via the trinuclear copper cluster. , 10(2), pp.498-502.

 

2016

Urbonavičius, J., Rutkienė, R., Lopato, A., Tauraitė, D., Stankevičiūtė, J., Aučynaitė, A., Kaliniene, L., Van Tilbeurgh, H. and Meškys, R., 2016. Evolution of tRNAPhe: imG2 methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of wyosine derivatives in Archaea. RNA, 22(12), pp.1871-1883.

Stankevičiūtė, J., Vaitekūnas, J., Petkevičius, V., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Tauraitė, D. and Meškys, R., 2016. Oxyfunctionalization of pyridine derivatives using whole cells of Burkholderia sp. MAK1. Scientific reports, 6.

Vaitekūnas, J., Gasparavičiūtė, R., Rutkienė, R., Tauraitė, D. and Meškys, R., 2016. A 2-Hydroxypyridine Catabolism Pathway in Rhodococcus rhodochrous Strain PY11. Applied and environmental microbiology, 82(4), pp.1264-1273.

 

2015

Stankevičiūtė, J., Kutanovas, S., Rutkienė, R., Tauraitė, D., Striela, R. and Meškys, R., 2015. Ketoreductase TpdE from Rhodococcus jostii TMP1: characterization and application in the synthesis of chiral alcohols. PeerJ, 3, p.e1387.

Povilonienė, S., Časaitė, V., Bukauskas, V., Šetkus, A., Staniulis, J. and Meškys, R., 2015. Functionalization of α-synuclein fibrils. Beilstein journal of nanotechnology, 6, p.124.

 

2014

Urbonavičius, J., Meškys, R. and Grosjean, H., 2014. Biosynthesis of wyosine derivatives in tRNAPhe of Archaea: role of a remarkable bifunctional tRNAPhe: m1G/imG2 methyltransferase. Rna, 20(6), pp.747-753.

Šimoliūnas, E., Kaliniene, L., Stasilo, M., Truncaitė, L., Zajančkauskaitė, A., Staniulis, J., Nainys, J., Kaupinis, A., Valius, M. and Meškys, R., 2014. Isolation and Characterization of vB_ArS-ArV2–First Arthrobacter sp. Infecting Bacteriophage with Completely Sequenced Genome. PloS one, 9(10), p.e111230.

 

2013

Šimoliūnas, E., Kaliniene, L., Truncaitė, L., Zajančkauskaitė, A., Staniulis, J., Kaupinis, A., Ger, M., Valius, M. and Meškys, R., 2013. Klebsiella phage vB_KleM-RaK2—a giant singleton virus of the family Myoviridae. PLoS One, 8(4), p.e60717.

Kutanovas, S., Stankeviciute, J., Urbelis, G., Tauraite, D., Rutkiene, R. and Meskys, R., 2013. Identification and characterization of a tetramethylpyrazine catabolic pathway in Rhodococcus jostii TMP1. Applied and environmental microbiology, 79(12), pp.3649-3657.

 

Personnel

Head of department

Prof. Rolandas Meškys
Chief researcher
852234386

Research staff

PhD students

Technical staff