Department of Biomodels
The Department of Biomodels participates in the programme “Molecular and Cellular Immunity Studies in Biological Models at in vitro and in vivo Conditions”. The aim of this program is to develop the individualized therapy technologies based on the investigation of molecular and cellular immunity mechanisms in vitro and in vivo biomodels. Theme: “Biomodels and their Application in the Study of the Immune Processes”.
Studies on the biology, medicine, toxicology, the development of immunology, virology as well as pharmacology are carried out in in vitro and in vivo biomodels. Animal model – live organism is used to investigate normal biological processes, spontaneous and caused by different triggers pathological processes as well as new diagnostics. This department works to develop treatment technologies. All these branches of science use lab animals, such as transgenic β-actin-luc and Rag2 mice, BALB/c, DBA/2, CC57W, C57Bl/6J line inbred mice, Wistar clone rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, who are bred in our department. The quality of experiments depends on the animal genotype and phenotype; therefore constant genetic, clinical, hematological, immunological and biochemical tests are performed. Using the reciprocal isotransplantation technique, the genotype of the inbred animals is defined, the coefficient of inbreeding approximates is calculated and the line genealogy is being followed. Phenotypic evaluation is performed by randomly selecting the same age animals and determining the ratio of their mass and weight of separate organs. Besides, hematological and biochemical tests are carried out; the animal health state is always kept under control.
The Department of Biomodels not only supplies the experimental animals to Lithuanian scientific and educational organizations but also carries out scientific investigations.
The department staff consists of 11people, 7 of them are scientific researchers who have a lot of experience in the work with laboratory animals; 6 employees have finished the International FELASA C category courses and are licensed for this work.
At the department we perform the following:
- The studies of the influence of natural, synthetic, microbial and animal origin immunomodulators on the host immune response;
- Studies of aggressive inflammatory fibroblast interconnections in arthritis models;
- Studies on the properties and migration of adult stem cells;
- Experimental studies of carcinogenesis modulators;
- Phototherapy and photodynamic therapy applications for the management of inflammatory processes. Non-invasive procedure for the treatment of inflammatory synovial tissue is being developed using advanced photonic technologies;
- Research of new medical devices;
- New biomodels is being developed for research projects;
- Histological and immunohistochemical examinations.
- During the last 5 years, the scientific research workers of the Department published 21 scientific articles, 16 of them in IC indexed international journals; participated in different conferences with the reports.
- Participated in FP7 Project “Immunoglobulin IgY pseudomonas A clinical trial for cystic fibrosis treatment (IMPACTT).
- Partnership in the project “Intellect LT”.
- Partnership in the project “Science-Economy-Integration”.
- Partnership in the Program 2014-2020 European Union Investment in Lithuania.
- Cooperation in the joint projects with the Lithuanian enterprises of pharmacy and production of biological preparations. Innovation vouchers.
- Supply of laboratory animals: BALB/c, DBA/2, CC57W, C57Bl/6J line inbred mice, Wistar clone rats and laboratory rabbits for the experiments;
- Production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies;
- Pre-clinical tests of chemical, biological preparations and medical devices;
- Pathology diagnostic services.
Researcher
PhD Arvydas Rimkevičius
Researcher
|
Education |
PhD, MD |
| The topic and institution of the defended work | The Damage in Dermal Blood Vessels and Connective Tissue during Systemic Sclerosis (Histopathological and immunohistochemical biopsy analysis), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine of Vilnius University |
| Employment | Researcher |
| Publications | 1. Mackiewicz Z, Stepaniuk M, Mackevicius Z., Jr, Rimkevicius A. Apoptosis and aging. Gerontologija 2001, 2, 3, 170-5. 2. Mackiewicz Z, Povilenaite D, Minderis M, Graziene V, Rimkevicius A, Konttinen Y. Angiogenic stimuli in cystic tumoral calcinosis (Teutschländer Disease). Case Rep Clin Pract Rev, 2002; 3(2): 76-81 3. Mackiewicz Z, Stepaniuk M, Mackevicius Z., Jr, Rimkevicius A. Age-related sarcopenia. Gerontologija 2002; priimtas spausdinti. 4. Lastas A, Graziene V, Barkauskas E, Salkus G, Rimkevicius A. Carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque: clinical and morphological-immunohistochemical correlation. Medical Science Monitor. Int.Med.J.for Exp.a.Clin.Research, 2004, 11 (10), CR606-CR614. 5. Mackiewicz Z, Rimkevičius A, Dudek E, Konttinen YT. Skeletal muscle regeneration in chronic critical limb ischemia. Acta med Lituanica 2003;10(3):147-151.(Engl., abstr.Lithuanian). 6. G. Šalkus, A, Rimkevičius, U. Mickys, K. Gubaras Renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma occurring in one kidney: the report of two cases.. Medicinos teorija ir praktika 2003,; 3: 194-196.(Engl., abstr.Lithuanian). 7. G. Lelkaitis, U. Mickys, A. Rimkevičius Angiomyolipoma arising in the nasa cavity. Medicinos teorija ir praktika 2003,; 3: 201-202.(Engl., abstr.Lithuanian) 8. Staponas A, Graziene V, Leonaviciene L, Rimkevicius A. Repairement of the knee joint hyaline cartilage surgical defect by intraarticular Papain depends on the deepness of injury. Proceedings of 5th Symposium of the International Cartilage Repair Society- ICRS 2004; Ghent, Belgium, Medimond, E526C0186. 9. Mackiewicz Z, Petersen J, Rimkevicius A, Dudek E, Andersen CM, Vytrasova M, Konttinen YT. Macrophages overloaded with tissue debris in Wegener’s granulomatosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64: 1229-32. 10. Dadoniene J, Kirdaite G, Mackiewicz Z, Rimkevicius A, Venalis A, Haugeberg G. The incidence and clinical manifestations of primary systemic vasculitides in Vilnius: a university hospital population based study. Ann Rheum Dis 2005; 64(2): 335-6. |
| Areas of interest, directions of cooperation |
Morphological diagnostic and analysis. |
Junior Researcher
Teresa Normantienė
Junior Researcher
|
Education |
Vilnius University, Natural Sciences Faculty, Biology |
| Employment | Junior scientific worker in Department of Biomodels |
| Publications |
|
| Projects | Project: Immunoglobulin IgY pseudomonas A clinical trial for cystic fibrosis tratment”. Project acronym (IMPACTT). |
| Areas of interest, directions of cooperation |
Microbiology |
Justinas Baleišis
PhD candidate
| PhD Vytautas Kašėta | Head of Department |
| PhD Romualdas Rudys | Senior Researcher |
| PhD Arvydas Rimkevičius | Researcher |
| Inga Bikulčienė | Junior Researcher |
| PhD Aušra Liubavičiūtė | Junior Researcher |
| Teresa Normantienė | Senior biologist |
| Simonas Lengvenis | Senior biologist |
| Ramutė Galiauskienė | Senior biologist |
| Justinas Baleišis | Veterinarian, junior researcher, PhD candidate |
| Sigita Gedvilaitė | Senior Laboratory Assistant |
| Vilma Šimulionytė | Laboratory Assistant |
| Jadvyga Liachovič | Laboratory Assistant, worker |
| Vaida Vaškelytė | Laboratory Assistant |
| Jelena Sipkevič | Worker |