Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology

25/03/2026

On March 20, the LSMU Neuroscience Institute hosted its first Science Day as part of International Brain Awareness Week.

Laboratory leaders presented their ongoing research, introduced new team members, and outlined future research directions, offering a comprehensive view of the Institute’s scientific activities. The event created a valuable space for exchanging ideas, strengthening connections, and identifying new opportunities for collaboration.

Beyond the presentations, it marked an important step in shaping the identity of the Neuroscience Institute and fostering a stronger sense of community. We are pleased with the shared experience and hope this initiative will become an annual NI tradition!!! 🥳 👨‍🔬 🤲 💪 💡

09/03/2026

LT | Nuo kovo 1 d. Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto LSMU Virškinimo sistemos tyrimų institutas turi naują vadovę. Ja išrinkta beveik du dešimtmečius LSMU skaičiuojanti prof. dr. Jurgita Skiecevičienė. Pirmieji įspūdžiai, pagrindiniai tikslai ir ateities planai – pokalbyje su naująja vadove.

Plačiau: https://lsmu.lt/lsmu-virskinimo-sistemos-tyrimu-instituto-vadove-institutas-pradeda-nauja-etapa/

EN | As of 1 March, Prof. Dr Jurgita Skiecevičienė, who has been with LSMU for almost two decades, will serve as the elected Head of the LSMU Institute for Digestive Research. The new Head of the Institute shares her first impressions, main objectives, and future plans in the following conversation.

More: https://lsmu.lt/en/prof-dr-j-skieceviciene-head-of-lsmu-institute-for-digestive-research-a-new-breakthrough-phase-for-the-institute/

19/02/2026

We are delighted to introduce the newest members of our team: Onur ATEŞ and Toma Dievaitė 👏
Onur has joined us as a first-year PhD student and is already contributing to an ongoing research project investigating the molecular response of neural stem cells to extracellular vesicles secreted by glioblastoma cells. This topic is closely aligned with his PhD research, ensuring strong continuity and further progress in this field.
Toma has joined the team as a research technician and is actively supporting the same project through bioinformatic analyses. She is also preparing to apply for a PhD position focused on the epitranscriptomic regulation of glioblastoma and glioma stem cells.
We are very happy to have you both on board and look forward to the exciting work ahead. Welcome to the Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology team! 🚀

23/01/2026

10/09/2025

We are pleased to invite you to a Public Lecture by PD Dr. Amit Sharma.

Where: LSMU learning and laboratory center (MLK), Eiveniu str. 4 room 203
When: September 18, 2025, 11:00am
Lecture Title: “Cancer Immunotherapy: Bench to Bedside and Back Again”

Dr. Amit Sharma, Senior Scientist at the University of Bonn (Universitätsklinikum Bonn), Germany, specializes in uncovering novel (epi-)genomic mechanisms that connect diverse signaling pathways within the cancer landscape, with a strong focus on their clinical translation through cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy. His research also explores the molecular crosstalk between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to identify possible shared or overlapping mechanisms between these two conditions.

This lecture is organized within the framework of the project “Determining the role of NSC-derived EVs in glioblastoma progression and resistance to CIK cell immunotherapy” (no. 2025/1; PI: Dr. Giedrius Steponaitis). The project is implemented through the Baltic-German University Liaison Office and supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funding from the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

10/09/2025

We are happy to share highlights from the productive visit of Dr. Giedrius Steponaitis to the University of Bonn (Universitätsklinikum Bonn) on August 18–21, as part of the joint Lithuania–Germany project “Determining the Role of NSC-Derived EVs in Glioblastoma Progression and Resistance to CIK Cell Immunotherapy.” implemented through the Baltic-German University Liaison Office and supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funding from the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
During the visit, Dr. Steponaitis presented the ongoing project activities and current results on the Modulation of Neural Stem Cells by Glioblastoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the challenges and benefits of working in the EV field with Katrin Reiners from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, UKB. These discussions opened doors to exploring new collaboration opportunities and further strengthening connections with partners and colleagues.
We extend our special thanks to the hosts - PD Dr. Amit Sharma and everyone involved, for making this a truly valuable experience. We look forward to continued collaboration and shared progress in the future!

14/07/2025

Mokslo transliacija visuomenei 📺🎤🥳
Mūsų laboratorijoje šiuo metu yra vykdomas Lietuvos mokslo taryba finansuojamas mokslininkų grupių projektas „Molekulinis nervinių kamieninių ląstelių atsakas į skirtingų smegenų patologijų generuojamų užląstelinių pūslelių poveikį“ (nr. S-MIP-23-99). 🧪🔬🧫
Siekdami supažindinti visuomenę su tuo, kas šiuo metu vyksta mokslo pasaulyje, bandome praverti neuromokslų srities duris, pristatydami šį trumpą reportažą, kuris tikimės padės bent šiek tiek geriau suprasti, kas, kaip ir kodėl yra tiriama Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU) Neuromokslų institute, Molekulinės neuroonkologijos laboratorijoje. 🥼🧠
Viliamės, kad tai bus naudinga ne tik mokslininkams, bet ir platesnei auditorijai – padės geriau suprasti užląstelinių pūslelių reikšmę tiek fundamentiniuose, tiek taikomuosiuose tyrimuose. 👏🏻🥳✨

23/06/2025

Our team members, Giedrius Steponaitis and Greta Žvinakytė had the honor of participating in one of the leading brain cancer research conferences in Europe – “Brain Tumors 2025: From Biology to Therapy” 🧠 which took place on June 16–18 in Warsaw. 🇵🇱
We would like to thank Professor Bozena Kaminska and the entire Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS team for the excellent organization and for bringing together top-tier speakers from around the world! 👏🏻💫
We are also delighted to share the outcome of our very first collaboration with the wonderful team at the LSMU NI Neurophysiology Laboratory – a conference presentation! 👨‍🔬 The work presented expands and complements the current understanding of molecular processes occurring in neural stem cells after exposure to cancer-derived extracellular vesicles, by providing new insights through neurophysiological processes at the cellular level. Thank you, Gytis Svirskis and Nataša Svirskienė, for the collaboration, which should soon result in a solid publication! 📄🤓

20/06/2025

Our lab continues to expand the knowledge in advanced sequencing methods. 🧬
Earlier this month our researcher dr. Rytis Stakaitis was selected to participate in a hands-on training on In Situ Sequencing at the SciLifeLab (Science for Life Laboratory) in Solna, Sweden! 🇸🇪
This amazing opportunity was possible due to funding provided by COST Action Net4Brain COST ( ). 🤩
During the 3️⃣-day traineeship, dr.Rytis Stakaitis was able to perform In Situ Sequencing himself and learn everything about it from:
• Mats Nilsson - a professor at Stockholm University and one of the top experts in the world regarding In Situ Sequencing.
• Marco Grillo - a researcher at Mats Nilsson's Lab, who's an expert in complicated bioinformatics analysis of In Situ Sequencing.
• Mengping Long - a postdoc at Mats Nilsson's Lab and a pathologist who explained the benefits of combining In Situ Sequencing with histology imaging to the participants of the training school.
• Chika Yokota - head of the In Situ Sequencing facility at the SciLifeLab Chika was also an amazing host who managed the whole training school.

19/05/2025

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent Erasmus+ funded trip! Our team members Rūta Urbanavičiūtė-Orentė and Skiriute Daina from the Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, had an incredibly insightful visit to the esteemed Dr. Sheila Singh Lab, Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR) - McMaster University in Canada.
Rūta and Daina were warmly welcomed by the dedicated members of Dr. Singh's lab at the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, a hub known for its groundbreaking work in understanding and targeting aggressive brain cancers. They were particularly captivated by the lab's innovative approaches to studying Glioblastoma, Medulloblastoma, and brain metastasis, focusing on the unique characteristics of cancer stem cells that drive these diseases. The team's research into novel therapeutic strategies, including advanced CAR-T cell therapies and investigations into the mechanisms of treatment resistance and recurrence, left a lasting impression.
This exchange has been invaluable for fostering knowledge sharing and potential future collaborations. A huge thank you to the Erasmus+ program for making this possible and to Dr. Singh, together with Dr. Chitra Venugopal, and the whole team for their exceptional hospitality!

22/11/2024

We invite you to attend the second public lecture by dr. Tomasz Slebioda from Medical University of Gdańsk (Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny), who is currently visiting the LSMU Neuroscience Institute’s Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology. The lecture, titled ‘CART-T cells: an academic perspective’ will be held in room 203, on the 2nd floor of the LSMU Learning and Laboratory Center (MLK), Neuroscience Institute, Eivenių g. 4.
Dr. Ślebioda is conducting his research internship as part of a project funded by the NAWA - Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.
We look forward to welcoming you to this insightful event!😉

17/11/2024

We are delighted to share that our PhD candidate, Rugilė Dragūnaitė, was recognized by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) Vice-Rector for Research Prof. Vaiva Lesauskaite for her active involvement over four years as a member of the LSMU Doctoral Council. Rugilė's dedication to the council demonstrates her commitment not only to her own research but also to fostering a supportive community for her fellow PhD students. This recognition highlights that LSMU PhD students are not just scientists; they are also passionate about supporting their peers and enhancing the academic experience for everyone! 👏