The goal – to carry out veterinary and food studies at all levels, providing knowledge about biology, animal micro- and macro- anatomy, physiology and immunology; to organise and carry out scientific research, innovation and experimental development works in cooperation with national and international institutions.
The RESEARCH CENTRE FOR DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY operates at the department, the purpose of which is to study biochemical and microbiological indicators and specific biomarkers, to develop tools and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive tract of cattle, and improving nutritional processes and production quality.
Main research areas:
To study the holobionts of cattle by evaluating the microbiome in different parts of the body.
To create new knowledge, methods and tools for evaluating and eliminating the physiological and pathological processes of animal digestion.
The Centre performs the following functions:
Services:
The teaching staff of the Department deliver courses to the integrated, first-cycle full- and part-time students at the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, and Medicine.
Students of the integrated study programmes Veterinary Medicine (VM) and Veterinary Medicine (for Foreigners) (VMU) are taught Biology, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, and Immunology courses under the following modules coordinated by the teaching staff of the Department: Life Sciences I, Locomotor System, Life Sciences II, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic and Respiratory Systems, Neuroendocrine System and Senses, Reproduction, and modules coordinated by other Departments: Metabolic System, Infection and Immune Response, and Microbiology, Virology and Parasitology.
Human and Animal Physiology is taught to the first-cycle full- and part-time students of Food Science.
Courses are taught to the first-cycle full- and part-time students of the Veterinary Food Safety study programmes: Morphology, Physiology, Applied Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology.
Courses taught to the first-cycle full- and part-time students of Animal Science: Applied Biology and Ecology, Animal Morphology, and Animal Physiology.
Courses taught to the first-cycle full- and part-time students of Animal and Human Interaction: Animal Biology, Animal Morphology and Physiology, Immunology.
Courses taught to the first-cycle full- and part-time students of the Medical and Veterinary Genetics study programmes: Anatomy of Human and Laboratory Animals, Human and Animal Physiology, Bioethics, and Animal Science.
Courses taught to the first-cycle full-time and part-time students of the Medical and Veterinary Biochemistry study programmes: Anatomy of Human and Laboratory Animals, Human and Animal Physiology, Bioethics, and Animal Science, Cell Biology.
The Department also delivers elective courses.
The teaching staff of the Department also supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses in Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, Veterinary Food Safety, Animal Science and Animal and Human Interaction study programmes.
The researchers at the Department are also actively involved in the implementation of third-cycle studies (doctoral studies) in Agricultural Sciences (Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science) and teach the following doctoral courses:
The Department organises an annual 80-hour training course for researchers, scientists, and teachers on the “Requirements for the keeping, care and use of animals used for scientific and educational purposes” (No KMU 777).
The staff of the Department participate in educational activities (the science festival “Spaceship Earth”, the “Gifted Pupils” education programme, etc.).
The teachers, researchers, and doctoral students of the Department investigate the functional systems and immune responses of various animal species to ensure animal and public health; publish research results in scientific publications and present them at conferences; review scientific articles, dissertations, and other publications; provide advice on the health of various animal species, immune system assessment, analysis of physiological indicators and osteology of animal bones.
Research fields
The Department cooperates, prepares projects and concludes agreements with foreign and national research and educational institutions, competent authorities and other economic operators carrying out state-funded and outsourced research works, and participates in their implementation.
The Department facilitates and assists students, graduate students, and doctoral students in carrying out scientific research work.
International projects:
National projects:
The teaching staff and researchers at the Department collaborate with Lithuanian and foreign institutions of higher education and research in the area of conduction of scientific research and implementation of teacher mobility exchange programmes:
In their educational and research activities, the teachers and researchers at the Department cooperate with the divisions of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and other faculties of the University, as well as with the Public Institution “Practical Training and Testing Centre”.