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 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 universities of Zaragoza (Spain), Wageningen (Netherlands), Nancy H. Poincare 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 insighths (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.
