Scientists working at the Joint Life Sciences Center and the National Center for Physical Sciences and Technology have contributed to creating mobile phones, most advanced lasers in Europe, as well as to developing innovations that increase human resistance to diseases.
"Lithuania really has great potential and will definitely become a country of innovation. The possibilities of modern science are endless – the most recent inventions in medicine, cancer treatment and genome editing can change the history of humankind's development. Investment in innovation and talent are priority in our country. Science and progress are emerging as Lithuania's visiting card," the President said.
The Joint Life Sciences Center has 800 students. The tests and inventions made here can provide a breakthrough in treating cancer and creating new-generation plants. Scientists are already carrying out non-invasive cancer diagnostic tests, meaning that in the future medical professionals will not have to take samples by surgery – saliva sample tests will suffice. The diagnostics of cancer cells carried out at the molecular level could reduce mortality from cancer by as much as up to 50 percent, as this technology allows to detect the earliest changes in cells and thus to prevent the disease.
The discovery of professor Virginijus Šikšnys, who works at this center, is worth the Nobel Prize. This scientist's unique discovery in genome-editing allows to eliminate a gene that causes disease in a molecule and to adapt this technology to human disease resistance or to cultivating plants even under the most adverse climatic conditions.
The National Center for Physical Sciences and Technology brings together the best physical, chemical and technological science units. Technologies for touch screen phones developed by the center scientists are used by one of the world's biggest tech companies Samsung. The terahertz laser, also invented by Lithuanian scientists at the center, is already used in creating security systems – for security screening at airports, postal and transport companies, for verifying identity documents, and even for detecting skin cancer.
This center also houses unique equipment for measuring radiolocation – there are only 16 such devices in the entire world. They are used in environmental protection to help detect the source of air pollution, as well as in modern archeology where they can date up to 50 thousand-year-old tissues and parts.
The President also opened a science exhibition of CERN at the National Center for Physical Sciences and Technology. According to the President, this exhibition is not only proof of cooperation between Lithuania and CERN but also an exceptional opportunity for the Lithuanian public to get familiar with global scientific discoveries. The exhibition will be on display for three months and entrance is free.
On 17 March, the CERN Council will consider Lithuania's application for associate membership and Lithuania will start the accession procedure to one of the world's largest and most advanced science organizations. After Lithuania becomes an associate member of CERN, a business incubation center will be opened in our country where not only Lithuanian and also all Europe's scientists will be able to start business.
