International recognition for LSMU researcher Dr. Rūta Inčiūraitė
Dr. Rūta Inčiūraitė, researcher at the Institute for Digestive Research of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), has become a laureate of the prestigious international Dr. Rudolf Bares Award, which recognises significant scientific publications in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology.
The Dr. Rudolf Bares Award was established in 1993 by the German-born pharmaceutical entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Rudolf Bares (1929–2005). The award is presented every two years to scientists and physicians for the best scientific publications on gastrointestinal and liver diseases. In the 2025 competition, 70 scientific publications from 16 countries were submitted. Following the initial selection, 33 papers advanced to international expert evaluation, from which three prize-winning publications were selected.
Dr. Rūta Inčiūraitė received 2nd place for the article “The microRNA expression in crypt-top and crypt-bottom colonic epithelial cell populations demonstrates cell-type specificity and correlates with endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis”, published in Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis. The study analysed microRNA expression in distinct populations of colonic epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis. The results showed that microRNA regulation depends on epithelial cell type and disease activity, while the identified microRNA expression networks may also be involved in maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier function. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and may support the development of new therapeutic strategies. The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists from the LSMU Institute for Digestive Research and the Department of Gastroenterology, together with international partners.
1st place in the competition was awarded to Dr. N. D. Pilonis from Poland for a publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) analysing how physicians’ adenoma detection rates during colonoscopy are associated with patients’ subsequent risk of colorectal cancer. 3rd place was awarded to Dr. L. Skladany from Slovakia for an article published in The EPMA Journal, which explores innovative treatment approaches for severe hepatitis, including the application of personalised medicine principles and faecal microbiota transplantation.
Dr. Inčiūraitė’s recognition marks thefourth Dr. Bares Award received by researchers from the LSMU Institute for Digestive Research and the Department of Gastroenterology. Previous recipients include Prof. Jūratė Kondrackienė (2007 and 2009) and Prof. Juozas Kupčinskas (2019).
The award ceremony will take place during the 14th International Symposium of Gastroenterology on 3-6 June 2026 in Georgia.
The official list of award winners is available HERE.