Skip to content

Laboratory of Biochemical Research

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Scientific Research Laboratories
  4. /
  5. Laboratory of Biochemical Research

Field of study

Head of the laboratory

  • Barrier properties of cell membranes and molecular bioenergetics. This direction is relevant to biomedicine as research aims to increase the effectiveness of treatment for infectious diseases. The interaction of bacteria, yeast, and microscopic fungi with biocidal compounds and viruses, seeking ways to increase the effectiveness of well-known antimicrobial compounds by enhancing their interaction with microorganisms are being sought. Newly synthesized compounds causing stress to microorganisms are being studied. New ways of (1) increasing the permeability of microbial envelopes and (2) inhibiting the activity of efflux pumps are being sought. New methods for rapid determination of the viability of microorganisms are also being developed, the response of biofilm-forming microorganisms to antibiotics and fungicides is studied by the laser point contrast method, the causes and mechanisms of the barrier of the plasma membrane of metabolically active cells to lipophilic anions are analyzed.

prof. habil. dr. Vida Mildažienė
  • Plant biochemistry focused on the applied potential of plant stress response. This direction is related to the development of innovative advanced and sustainable agricultural methods, based on the knowledge of molecular mechanisms of plant plasticity, adaptation, and stress response. In collaboration with members of the international plasma agriculture network https://plagri.eu/, the research will investigate molecular mechanisms of plant responses to seed treatment with physical stressors such as low-temperature plasma (cold plasma, CP), vacuum, or electromagnetic field (EMF). The obtained knowledge is expected to be used in the development of methods for promoting plant productivity, stress resistance and secondary metabolic activity, with special attention paid to the bioproduction of pharmacologically important medicinal substances. Experiments in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field will be conducted on different combinations of seed treatment with plasma-activated water (PAW), testing the application of physical seed stressors and PAW for aeroponic and vertical plant cultivation. In collaboration with industrial partners, the goal is to develop treatment systems that can be adapted for household and greenhouse use, preparing protocols, prototypes, and guidelines on how to use these systems in farms and industry.