Dr Gintautas Tamulaitis, who has more than 14 years of experience in CRISPR-Cas research, will lead the project on behalf of VU. His remarkable contributions include more than 30 scientific publications, including two in Science and five U.S. and European patents. His pioneering research has led to major discoveries in antiviral signalling in bacteria and the elucidation of the Type III CRISPR-Cas system mechanism.

“By utilising the intrinsic signal amplification of the Type III CRISPR-Cas system, we aim to develop a next-generation detection platform with broad applications in healthcare and molecular diagnostics,” says Dr G. Tamulaitis, Research Professor at VU.

The project will be carried out at VU’s Life Sciences Center, leveraging its expertise in genome editing, biomolecular research, genomics, neurobiology, molecular mechanisms of diseases, and biotechnology.

“Partnerships are the essential link connecting unique expertise to innovative solutions. Through our collaborative efforts with nSAGE and VU, we are harnessing the full potential of CRISPR’s versatility, aiming to translate it into tangible tools for diagnostics. The UNCOVER project aligns with Caszyme’s commitment to developing high-quality CRISPR-based solutions,” says Dr Monika Paulė, CEO and Co-Founder of Caszyme.

UNCOVER will utilise advanced bioinformatics and protein engineering technologies, with the consortium planning to discover novel and optimise existing Cas proteins to improve their sensitivities and specificities.

“To achieve improved sensitivity and specificity of the detection platform, we are going to leverage our deep knowledge in advanced bioinformatics and Cas protein engineering, allowing the systematic optimisation of a more robust system,” says Dr Giedrius Gasiūnas, CSO at Caszyme.

The platform will undergo validation with patient samples. It will address a critical gap in Point-of-Care diagnostics, thus advancing local and global disease detection capabilities as a result of close collaboration between consortium partners.

“nSAGE’s long-term vision is to pioneer advancements in both diagnostics and gene therapy, driving the future of precision medicine. In collaboration with Caszyme and VU, we aim to develop an ultra-sensitive diagnostic kit that eliminates the need for amplification. This innovation seeks to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, particularly in infectious disease testing, and address a critical gap in Point-of-Care diagnostics,” says Bonghee Lee, CEO at nSAGE.

“Collaboration bridges expertise and innovation, driving meaningful progress. By partnering with Caszyme and VU, we are unlocking CRISPR’s full potential. Our goal is to transform its versatility into practical diagnostic solutions,” says Solji Park, CTO at nSAGE.

The UNCOVER project, commencing on April 1st, 2025, will span 36 months.

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KTU professor Dr Tadas Ždankus and his team have been investigating how the ground can serve not only for construction purposes but also as a medium for heat storage. At the core of their research is a ground-based heat accumulator that would store excess energy underground and make it available when demand peaks. “Our goal was to convert heat, which would normally dissipate into the ground as waste, into a useful energy source,” explains Dr Ždankus.

Underground heat storage potential
At the beginning of their research, Prof. Ždankus and the team explored how wind energy could be used to produce heat instead of electricity. Instead of a conventional generator, they employed a hydraulic system. The researchers found that so-called hydraulic losses, typically seen as inefficiencies, were actually generating usable heat. “The hydraulic losses we were trying so hard to eliminate turned out to be nothing less than heat generation,” says a KTU professor.

However, a portion of this heat was lost before reaching the buildings it was meant to warm during colder seasons. “The question became how to not only reduce heat loss to the ground but also store and retain it for future use,” adds Ždankus.

To test this idea, the researchers conducted experiments using an artificial heat source placed in surface soil layers. They measured how heat spreads, how fast it moves, and how long it persists in the ground. In one test, the soil was heated to the point where moisture began to evaporate – triggering a phase change, in which liquid water becomes vapor.

“Phase change can be an efficient way to store heat. The significantly higher amount of energy can be charged into the soil,” explains a KTU professor.

As vapour travels through the ground, it distributes heat over a wider area. “We noticed a sharp temperature rise wherever the vapour flow reached. This means the energy is moving and can be controlled,” says Prof. Ždankus.

Such a system could help balance district heating networks or alleviate stress during power grid overloads. “It’s also possible to install thermal accumulators for individual use – beneath residential buildings, streets, or parking lots,” he adds.

This research demonstrates that underground heat storage can be far more efficient than previously believed. In addition, similar principles could apply to cooling. “Underground cold or coolness storage is also possible,” notes a KTU expert.

Turning ground into an energy cell
Once the feasibility of underground heat storage was confirmed, researchers began exploring its practical applications. They wanted to see if the soil beneath buildings could passively store heat, making use of the natural downward flow of heat from buildings into the ground. “We started in the laboratory. A prototype ground energy cell was developed alongside a testing setup to study how heat spreads through the soil. Temperatures were measured at various depths, including at the surface and in the air,” explains Dr Ždankus.

The team examined how long the soil retained heat and how quickly it returned to its original temperature. These findings helped assess the long-term reliability of such a storage method.

KTU master’s students were also involved in the project. Measurements and calculations spanned an entire year, which enabled the team to monitor seasonal effects and compare results with existing climatological data. “The year-long measurements revealed natural seasonal patterns in soil temperature and allowed us to identify several trends,” the professor shares.

Additional numerical simulations were performed to evaluate potential heat losses and the effectiveness of heat storage under buildings. “We found that even the passive use of an isolated soil volume beneath a building can reduce heat loss and increase its energy efficiency. Less heat loss means less energy needed for heating, which in turn leads to energy savings. If that heat comes from burning fossil fuels or biomass, our solution also lowers carbon dioxide emissions,” notes Ždankus.

To make these ground-based storage systems viable for widespread use, researchers are now developing scaled-down prototypes and refining heat distribution control methods. According to the scientist of the KTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, the project is evolving through collaboration with experts in various fields – from geotechnical engineers to energy system specialists.

“Our immediate goal is to integrate existing solutions, such as boreholes, piles, and other underground heat exchange technologies into a system that can benefit both industry and residential sectors,” he concludes.

www.ktu.lt

 

The findings of this study have also been published in the prestigious scientific journal "Nature", uncovering the mechanism behind the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe. This enigma has remained unsolved until now.

Dr Mindaugas Šarpis, a researcher at the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University (VU) and head of the CERN LHCb Vilnius experimental particle physics research group, explains that we live in a matter-dominated universe.

"Antimatter has opposite quantum properties to matter and is essentially a mirror image of the latter. One of the key goals of the LHCb experiment, with around 1,800 people involved, is to uncover the fundamental differences between matter and antimatter," said the scientist.

New insights from particle decays
According to the VU researcher, the Standard Model of particle physics, known as the most accurate scientific theory to date, explains only a tiny fraction of this asymmetry. This implies that there is still much we do not fully understand. In the LHCb experiment, differences between matter and antimatter were observed in particle decays where no such asymmetry had previously been detected.

"All previous studies had only observed asymmetry in the decays of mesons (particles composed of two quarks). For the first time, LHCb collaboration has identified such a difference in the decays of baryons (particles made up of three quarks). This is a particularly significant discovery, as most of the matter in the universe is baryonic, including protons and neutrons (which are also baryons, consisting of three quarks), and hence all the atomic nuclei, chemical elements and molecules," explicated Dr Mindaugas Šarpis.

Statistically significant discovery
Dr Gediminas Šarpis, a physicist working at CERN in Geneva (who also happens to be Mindaugas’ brother), notes that the findings emerged from the decays of Lambda-b baryons. ‘The latest discovery is statistically highly significant and raises hope that the differences between matter and antimatter may extend across many similar systems. This is a truly important breakthrough," said the researcher, who was a scientific reviewer for the study.

Dr Gediminas Šarpis has been studying baryon particles for nearly a decade. His doctoral research focused on searching for matter-antimatter differences in a similar system that can be differentiated by just one quark. The physicist says that while he did find evidence at the time, its statistical significance was too low.

According to the particle physicists, it took seven years to confirm the result of this study. "The statistical significance of the result is 5.2 sigmas, meaning the discovery is confirmed at a ratio of 1 in 5 million. CERN scientists analyse vast amounts of physics data. This analysis involved working with an array of approximately 10 petabytes of data." Likening this to a relatable analogy, the brothers Mindaugas and Gediminas Šarpis explained: "If we had created a video about our colleagues’ work, it would be equivalent to 5 million high-definition feature-length films."

The brothers have been analysing CERN data for over a decade
Gediminas and Mindaugas Šarpis were the first Lithuanians to join the LHCb collaboration. The brothers – both members of CERN’s LHCb – have been analysing particle physics data for more than ten years.

According to them, the technologies developed at CERN bring added value not only to scientific progress and knowledge but also to innovation development.

"The opportunities for Lithuanian researchers and students to contribute to world-class CERN scientific research have grown significantly. Lithuania’s involvement in such large-scale experiments as the LHCb also benefits the private sector, the economy, and the country’s competitiveness," noted the physicists.

In the autumn of 2024, the LHCb Collaboration Board approved VU as a new Institute within the prestigious LHCb experiment.

CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, unites scientists from over 100 countries. Located on the border between Switzerland and France, it enables researchers to conduct experiments to understand elementary particles and their interactions better. Particle collisions occurring in the 27-kilometre-long Large Hadron Collider (LHC), situated 100 metres underground, allow scientists to search for new particles and phenomena, helping to unravel more of the universe’s mysteries. In 2018, Lithuania became an Associate Member of CERN.

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Hydrogen is a key element in the transition to cleaner energy. However, conventional gasification methods are often unable to ensure its high purity – synthesis gases contain very low concentrations of hydrogen.

This inefficiency limits the industrial application of hydrogen as a clean gas fuel, highlighting the need for more advanced production methods.

To address this, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) scientists have developed a two-step conversion system: an updraft gasifier followed by a catalytic reforming reactor.

Increased hydrogen production
The process begins with gasification, where waste is heated in a controlled steam-oxygen environment to produce syngas, also known as synthetic gas.

“Gasification treatment is an emerging, promising, and eco-friendly technology that can convert waste into syngas as a major product besides soot as a by-product,” says KTU Chief researcher Dr Samy Yousef.

However, the produced syngas contains tar, which not only reduces efficiency and can damage equipment due to corrosion effect but also interferes with hydrogen production by affecting key chemical reactions. To solve this, the syngas is passed through a catalytic reforming reactor to break down the tar into smaller molecules. These catalysts also enhance chemical reactions that increase the hydrogen content of the syngas, reaching up to 60 vol%, making it a cleaner and more efficient fuel source.

According to the KTU expert, a crucial factor in this technology is the choice of catalysts used in the reforming reactor. That is why researchers tested most commercially available catalysts and laboratory-developed options.

“Experimental results demonstrated the technology’s efficiency under various conditions. Among the tested catalysts, KATALCO™ 57-4GQ proved to be the most effective, as its high surface area, stability, and durability played a key role in breaking down tar and enhancing hydrogen production,” says Dr Yousef.

Can be applied to all types of waste
Unlike conventional gasification techniques, which require high-energy plasma systems or complex pressure-based processes, this new method operates at atmospheric pressure. This reduces the need for high-cost infrastructure and enhances operational safety.

Compared to the dominant hydrogen production method, steam methane reforming (SMR), this new approach offers a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative. SMR relies on natural gas, a non-renewable resource, and emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, making it less viable for long-term sustainability goals.

“Unlike SMR, which operates under extreme conditions and requires high-pressure reactors, our method works at atmospheric pressure and utilises waste as a cost-effective and renewable raw material, making it a cleaner solution,” says Dr Yousef.

While the initial research focused on medical waste, the technology has the potential for broader applications. “This technology is versatile and can be applied to various types of organic and industrial waste, including plastics, textiles, and biomass. Before processing, the waste must be collected, sorted, and pre-treated to ensure a consistent composition and size, allowing for more efficient conversion,” KTU expert explains.

When discussing industrial implementation, the researcher highlights that this innovation has reached Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5). This level is part of a globally recognised scale that measures a technology’s maturity.

“Being at TRL5 means the technology has been tested in an environment that simulates real industrial conditions using reactors that closely resemble industrial-scale systems and is progressing toward full-scale deployment,” says Dr Yousef.

As research continues, further scaling and optimisation could pave the way for commercial implementation, making sustainable hydrogen production a reality in the near future.

www.ktu.lt

 

Collagen is a structural protein with various functions related to cell activity. Researchers say that the method, Double Stokes polarimetry, is based on the dependence of the response of collagen to variously polarized laser light.

"Polarization measurements allow to determine the ultrastructural parameters of collagen, which describe its molecular structure. This lets to evaluate the changes in collagen structure appearing during various diseases. Similar methods have been used to investigate breast and lung cancer tissues, among other cancer types, as well as other diseases, such as keratoconus. The changes in collagen structure are related to disease progression and symptoms. The main advantage of this method is its speed, which is several hundred times greater than that of other similar methods. That’s important for its wider application in clinical settings", tells VU Life Science Center's PhD student Viktoras Mažeika.

VU Faculty of Physics' PhD student Mykolas Mačiulis claims that this research will be relevant in the future. "The work done here is fundamental, and we continue doing related research. Next, we'll apply this method to analyze cancerous samples, as well as those of other diseases. Science has to answer society's needs, and disease diagnostics are important for humanity", he adds.

"This work can significantly contribute to the development of oncological and histopathological diagnostics. We hope that this method will allow physicians to more effectively detect subtle tissue changes. Collagen is the most common protein in the human body, so investigation of its structure would allow for more accurate disease diagnostics", states Prof. Dr. Virginijus Barzda.

Biophysicists from the VU Advanced Biomedical Photonics Group are developing nonlinear microscopy methods and devices which can be applied in life sciences, medical, pharmaceutical or materials engineering research. Modern technologies of physics, chemistry and biology are successfully used in oncology.

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This hands-on workshop invites educators to bring their syllabus and ideas for incorporating AI in their courses. Together, we will explore teaching scenarios and approaches for clearly communicating expectations and ethical standards around AI use in academic contexts.

Trainers

Frano Petar Rismondo is a writing scholar and higher education expert and part of the Center for Teaching and Learning’s (CTL) "Student Research and Peer Learning" team. He coordinates the Student Research Hub at the University of Vienna and is one of the AI and writing experts at the CTL.

Erika Unterpertinger is a member of the team "Student Research and Peer Learning" at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of Vienna, where she leads the team of writing assistants. She is one of the AI and writing experts at the CTL and does research into students’ processes of “discovery” that are connected to novice academic writing in her dissertation.

Workshop Overview

Large Language Models like ChatGPT offer both support and challenges in academic writing. They can assist with drafting, revising, and developing arguments, but also pose risks like uncritical copying or misinformation. Teaching must adapt to help students navigate these tools ethically and productively.

This workshop is specifically designed to address the practical aspects of integrating AI-related tools and methodologies into the classroom. Participants should bring their syllabus as well as some ideas on how they want to incorporate AI in their classes. Possible teaching scenarios, as well as transparent communication of what is expected of students, will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Have reflected on the impact of AI on students’ academic writing and development
• Understand different scenarios for teaching ethical and responsible AI usage to students
• Begin rethinking their syllabus to align with these emerging challenges

The workshop is limited to 20 participants. A meeting link will be sent to registered attendees only.

Register here

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The project involves not only VILNIUS TECH, but also KTU, RTU, and TalTech universities (“A Competency Network Oriented Towards the Future, Aimed at Developing Engineering Education Focused on Green Industry,” ENERGYCOM 2024, NPHE-2024/10402). Its mission is to introduce sustainability insights into study programs and share experiences, knowledge, and best practices in technology-oriented educational development, as well as advancements in electrical and electronic engineering, informatics, automation, and cybersecurity.

The participants of the meetings included: Associate Prof. Dr. Vytautas Abromavičius, Prof. Dr. Algirdas Baškys, Prof. Dr. Andrius Katkevičius, Dr. Šarūnas Mikučionis, Prof. Dr. Dalius Matuzevičius, Prof. Dr. Darius Plonis, Dr. Diana Belova-Plonienė, Associate Prof. Dr. Raimondas Pomarnacki, lecturers Valentinas Breivė, Henrikas Giedra, and Gabriela Vdoviak, as well as the Director of Public Communication, Dovilė Juršytė, who also showed interest in mechatronics, adaptronics, and information and communication technologies that align with the needs of the green industry.

VILNIUS TECH researchers met with Associate Prof. Anton Rassõlkin from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics, School of Engineering, at TalTech University to discuss the project's progress and challenges.

The meetings in Tallinn also covered further collaboration opportunities in academic and research areas, student exchange possibilities for Bachelor's and Master's students, and visits to high-voltage, electromagnetic compatibility, lighting technology, industrial robotics, and machine vision laboratories. The researchers were introduced to the study programs and scientific research carried out by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics, and during the university tour, they explored the campus infrastructure.

At the seminar, VILNIUS TECH representatives presented a lecture titled “Fostering the Education of Future Engineers Who Seek the Development of Secure, Energy-Efficient Autonomous Systems.”

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The seminar featured the R&D project "Use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector," implemented under the project "Implementation of Mission-Oriented Science and Innovation Programs" No. 02-002-P-0001, under the theme "Smart and Climate-Neutral Lithuania." The goal of the project is to create a hydrogen supply system for conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector and contribute to mitigating climate change.

The project, carried out in collaboration with JSC „SG Dujos Auto“, started in September, 2023 and will continue until April, 2026. During this time, a hydrogen supply system will be developed and tested, allowing part of the conventional fuels (gasoline or diesel) to be replaced by green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

Project Goals and Results

One of the main goals of the project is to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, where emissions make up a significant portion of all greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the project include:
• Six scientific articles on the possibilities of hydrogen use in the transport sector;
• A hydrogen supply system prototype and model, developed in collaboration with SG Dujos Auto;
• A research report summarizing the research and results obtained.

In addition, the project activities include the simulation of combustion processes for mixtures of hydrogen and conventional fuels, as well as driving modes of vehicles, the development of the hydrogen supply system, experimental engine tests, engine durability studies, and system improvements and adaptation for use in vehicles.

Climate Change Challenges and Hydrogen Potential

Project implementers emphasize that one of the most pressing global issues today is climate change, particularly due to CO2 emissions, the main source of which is the transport sector. To contribute to the reduction of these emissions, the project will test a hydrogen supply system that will allow the replacement of part of traditional fuels (gasoline or diesel) with green hydrogen. This technology could not only reduce emissions but also help achieve a more sustainable and low-pollution future for the transport sector.

The project plans to acquire unique hydrogen production and engine testing equipment that will allow the study of hydrogen usage possibilities in spark ignition internal combustion engines. Additionally, various tests will be conducted with different hydrogen and conventional fuel or biofuel ratios to find the most efficient ways to integrate these fuels into vehicles.

Insights of the Scientists

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saugirdas Pukalskas, speaking about hydrogen use in the transport sector, emphasized the technological challenges associated with integrating hydrogen into existing internal combustion engines. He presented his research on various methods for using hydrogen and other alternative fuels, as well as discussed possible engineering solutions that could ensure the smooth application of these technologies in vehicles.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Alfredas Rimkus presented research and its results, analyzing the effects of hydrogen on the performance of spark ignition internal combustion engines. Initial experimental tests were conducted at VILNIUS TECH laboratories, and based on them, an article on hydrogen's impact on vehicle energy and environmental characteristics was published in the journal Applied Sciences. In the study, dual fuels (gasoline and hydrogen) were used. In the first part of the research, tests were conducted by injecting 5% hydrogen into the engine's intake manifold, and energy and environmental performance "maps" were created for different operating modes. In the second part, a numerical simulation of the vehicle’s "WLTC" driving cycle was conducted, which showed an increase in energy efficiency and a reduction in emissions of pollutants such as CO and CH. However, it was noted that nitrogen oxide emissions increased due to more intense hydrogen combustion. As experimental tests continued, significantly increasing the hydrogen concentration in the internal combustion engine fuels highlighted more of hydrogen’s positive properties and challenges. Based on already known technologies and new solutions, hydrogen usage research is ongoing, and in the near future, plans are to test a vehicle on the road that would have a significant portion of its fuel made up of hydrogen.

Scientific Research and Innovation

The research results presented by the seminar speakers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saugirdas Pukalskas and Prof. Dr. Alfredas Rimkus, confirm the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source capable of contributing to CO2 emission reduction. Professor Dr. A. Rimkus presented research on the efficiency of hydrogen use in internal combustion engines, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Pukalskas discussed various technological solutions that would help integrate hydrogen into modern vehicles.

The seminar participants actively engaged in discussions about hydrogen’s potential as an alternative fuel and its role in achieving a climate-neutral transport sector.

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In this course, students will understand importance of various technologies and approaches, will obtain better understanding of general biomechanics principles and their application.

Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schmitt is head of the Academic-Practice-Partnership between University Hospital Bern and the Department of Health at Bern University of Applied Sciences. Interprofessional research in health sciences and the translating science into clinical practice are the key elements of this partnership. Kai-Uwe Schmitt is also affiliated with the Department of Health Science and Technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and member of the executive board at AGU Zurich (Working Group on Accident Mechanics). Trauma biomechanics in traffic and sports are the focus of his research and teaching activities. Additional functions include being a council member of the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI) and member of the advisory board on traffic safety at the Swiss Federal Road Office.

The course will start on April 7th and end on 18th. Everyone can register for this course!

You can fill the registration form here.

You can find the course program here.

www.vgtu.lt

 

One of the highlights of the festivities is the solemn inauguration of Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas as the Rector of Vilnius University. In addition, a special lecture, “The Legendary Toga of Petras Skarga and the Oriental Pattern Cloak”, will be delivered by Assoc. Prof. Miglė Lebednykaitė. In this lecture, you will learn about one of the exceptional values of Lithuanian cultural heritage – the academic attire of the first Rector of Vilnius University, Petras Skarga, symbolising the beginning of the history of Vilnius University.

An Exceptional Exhibition

On 1–2 April, Vilnius University community and the public will have a unique opportunity to see some elements – the pelerine and the biretta – of the academic attire of the first Rector of Vilnius University, Petras Skarga. These historical relics, preserved for over 400 years, were last exhibited together in 1936. Having been rediscovered almost a century later, they will now be presented to the public on a special occasion – the inauguration of Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas as the Rector of Vilnius University.

On 1 April at 11:00, the discoverer of these historical relics, Assoc. Prof. Miglė Lebednykaitė, Head of the Ethnography and Anthropology Division of the National Museum of Lithuania, will deliver the lecture “The Legendary Toga of Petras Skarga and the Oriental Pattern Cloak” in Vilnius University Theatre Hall. The audience will hear about the search process of Petras Skarga’s academic attire, the research conducted, and the unexpected discoveries made.

Another unique event is an art and science project, installation-performance “U”, which will take place on 3–5 April, starting from 20:00, in the Grand Courtyard of Vilnius University. Artist Akvilė Anglickaitė and her team will create an installation of light, sound, and street art, inspired by the Foucault pendulum. The performance will feature a choreographed skateboarding sequence immersed in light, with live music provided by the VU Wind Orchestra “Oktava”. There will be three performances every evening between 20:00 and 21:30.

“Scientific Sprint” – a Race of Ideas

This year, the tradition of holding the science communication competition “Scientific Sprint” in celebration of VU’s birthday continues. On 27 March at 18:00, the “Artistai” pub will host 14 teams consisting of lecturer and student pairs. In just three minutes, each team will have to present their research or idea in an appealing and engaging way.

Participants will be judged by a commission composed of scientists and communication experts. Three teams with the highest scores will share the EUR 1,000 prize established by “Thermo Fisher Scientific”.

This year, teams from the Faculties of Medicine, Physics, Philology, Philosophy, Chemistry and Geosciences, Kaunas Faculty, and the Life Sciences Center will be participating. The participants of the competition will analyse the challenges of radiation protection of children, the importance of quantum diamonds in medicine, technology, and informatics, the role of the hippocampus in neuronal change, artificial intelligence, climate change, and many other topics that are of great importance and relevance today.

The Exhibition of Martynas Mažvydas’ “Catechism”

On 1 April from 10:00 to 19:00, Martynas Mažvydas’ “Catechism” will be on display in the P. Smuglevičius Hall of VU Library. This tradition allows the public to become acquainted with the first printed book in the Lithuanian language; only two copies are known to exist, one of which is stored in the Library of VU.

In addition, the VU Foundation is inviting you to join a unique initiative and give a symbolic gift of EUR 4.46 to the VU Endowment Fund as a birthday gift to Vilnius University. The donations will be professionally invested and earn a return so that talented scientists can be supported; the funds are constantly reinvested, thus providing benefits to VU in perpetuity.

On 2 April at 19:00, the event beloved by many storytellers and listeners, Storytelling Salon “Per Aspera ad Astra”, will take place. Hosted by professional narrator Milda Varnauskaitė, this event, held in the VU Aula Parva café “Morgas”, will feature stories about the challenges and successes in science and studies.

On 5 April at 12:00, the VU Life Sciences Center will host an orienteering game where VU community members, city residents, and guests are invited to discover important Vilnius University locations in Saulėtekis. The participants, in teams of up to four people, will have two hours to search for historical sites and collect points. The teams that discover the most places and score the most points will be awarded prizes.

Birthday to Reach Culmination in a Concert

On 28 March at 17:00 and 29 March at 13:00, visitors will be able to explore “The Old Campus of Vilnius University Through the Eyes of an Archaeologist”, whereas on 28 March at 12:00 and on 2 April at 17:00, visitors are invited to get to know the Baroque and Jesuit heritage on the excursion “Saint Johns, Baroque, and the Jesuits”. In addition, on 26 March at 17:00, VU is offering an excursion “19th Century Student Life. Adam Mickiewicz”, and on 27 March at 12:00, visitors are invited to travel “In the Footsteps of Vilnius Romantics”.

On 29 March and 5 April at 11:00, the Asteroid Workshop awaits families with children, inviting the participants to reveal their creativity.

On 29 March at 19:00, the Kinetic Theatre’s production of “Hommo in Maxima” will be held in VU Theatre Hall. This experimental performance explores the transformation of four fundamental value categories following Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, and it analyses how the notions of love, human connection, security, and meaning have changed in modern society. The performance reveals how traditional values are transformed into a model of life dictated by efficiency and productivity.

On 5 April at 18:00, the VU Chamber Orchestra invites you to the concert “Returning Generations”, which will feature works by Antonio Salieri, Franz Berwald, and Joseph Haydn. The concert, dedicated to promoting the unity of the community, will feature both current members of the orchestra and its alumni. The event will take place at St Johns’ Church.

The birthday celebration will reach its culmination on 6 April, with the VU Drama Theatre performance of ‘The Promised’ – a fresh interpretation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. The play explores the themes of love, responsibility, and guilt, and its creative team offers an exceptional aesthetic vision, combining modern technologies and classical dramaturgy.

For more information and the programme of the celebratory events, please click here.

www.vu.lt