11 publications on average each year
3 laboratories
Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research
The Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research is a combination of studies and research. The Institute carries out the studies and research in the field of fundamental and applied biomedical disciplines which are a part of the core vision of the University. The researchers at the Institute have adapted these disciplines to the needs of all the Faculties of the University and teach them to students of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Veterinary Medicine, Medical and Veterinary Genetics, Medical and Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary Food Safety, Animal Husbandry Technology, Food Science, and Animal Science study programmes.
RESEARCH
Research activities of the Institute conducted in individual branches: genetics and visual neurophysiology. Both branches of science are managed by the respective structural units: Dr. K. Janušauskas’s Genetics Laboratory, Scientific Twin Centre, and Visual Neurophysiology Laboratory. Researchers at the Institute publish an average of 11 publications per year.
STUDIES
The Institute carries out studies in the field of fundamental and applied biomedical disciplines which are a part of the core vision of the University. The researchers at the Institute have adapted these disciplines to the needs of all the Faculties of the University. In 2011, a new Bachelor’s degree programme “Medical and Veterinary Genetics” was developed and launched. The staff of the Institute also contributed actively to the development of the new programme “Medical and Veterinary Biochemistry”. A new state-of-the-art training laboratory for genetics was set up in 2011 to help the students acquire practical skills.
The Institute offers studies in both Lithuanian and English. The Institute teaches more than 70 subjects to the students of the following study programmes: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Veterinary Medicine, Medical and Veterinary Genetics, Medical and Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary Food Safety, Animal Husbandry Technology, Food Science, and Animal Science.
The Institute also offers courses for Master’s, doctoral students, and residents. The Institute supervises the Veterinary Medicine residency programme “Veterinary Genetics” and participates in the implementation of other residency programmes.
The research laboratories at the Institute provide conditions for doctoral, Master’s and Bachelor’s students to perform research and laboratory work. Students are encouraged to start research work as early as in their first year. The Genetics Laboratory is equipped with molecular genetics and cytogenetics equipment enabling the students to gain practical skills in the latest molecular research. The knowledge and practical skills acquired here can be widely applied in virology, microbiology and other disciplines. Students are encouraged to carry out research during their studies.
HISTORY
The Department of Biology was established at the Faculty of Medicine in 1950 to expand the scope of fundamental medical studies. Until 1964, the Department was headed until by Prof. T. Ivanauskas (1882–1970), a graduate of the Sorbonne and St. Petersburg Universities, a prominent figure of the Lithuanian state and modern Lithuanian science. During his work at the Department of Biology, he published his most important monographs: “Birds of Lithuania” (Lith. “Lietuvos paukščiai”) and “Birds of the World” (“Pasaulio paukščiai”). He gave lectures on zoology and evolutionary science, and emphasised the importance of genetic science. In 1964–1969, the Department was headed by Assoc. Prof. M. Venclauskas. Assoc. Prof. M. Venclauskas cultivated new biophysical methods in the research activities of the Institute of Medicine, was one of the founders of the Central Scientific Research Laboratory (later CSRL), and headed the Biophysics Unit. In 1969–1983, the Department was headed by Assoc. Prof. J. Lapinskaitė. Assoc. Prof. J. Lapinskaitė continued the work started by Prof. T. Ivanauskas and completed the formation of the basic courses in biology. In 1983–2009, the Department was headed by Prof. A. Bertulis. In 2008, the Institute of Biology was established on the basis of the Department of Biology. In 1967, a research group on visual neurophysiology was established in the Department, which made the name of the Department and the University famous outside the country with its research works. The group was headed by Prof. A. Bertulis, who had interned and worked at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and the University of Copenhagen. The Visual Neurophysiology Laboratory was established at the Institute of Biology (headed by Prof. A. Bulatov). In 2009-2011, the Institute of Biology was headed by Prof. A. Bulatov. On the 1 July 2011, the Institute of Biology was reformed into the Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research by the merger with the Department of Breeding and Genetics of the Veterinary Academy and Dr. K. Janušauskas Animal Genetics Laboratory. In 2011-2016, the Institute was headed by Prof. Ilona Teodora Miceikienė (in 2001-2011, she was the Head of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the Veterinary Academy). In 2016-2020, the Institute was headed by Prof. Dr. Rasa Ugenskienė. Since 21 January 2021, the Institute has been headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laimutis Kučinskas.
Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research
laimutis.kucinskas@lsmu.lt
Eivenių g. 4, Kaunas (Training Laboratory Building (MLK) and Tilžės g. 18, Kaunas (Building 5 of the Veterinary Academy)
Assoc. Prof. Laimutis Kučinskas
Head of the Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research