Research on Delivery of Medicine and Genes
Research overview
Biophysical Research group deals with cell and tissue behavior in the electric fields, with special focus on cell electroporation and sonoporation-mediated drug and gene delivery. Currently there are many pharmaceutical compounds, however part of them because of low penetration into tissues and cells, rapid clearance, inactivation or because of various sides effects do not reach clinics. Therefore targeted and controlled drug delivery is of paramount importance that can be compared by development of new drugs. The aims of the group are to gain detailed insight in the mechanism of cell electroporation and sonoporation and to implement them into clinics for tumor treatment. In addition, a special focus is given to understand mechanisms of electroporation and sonoporation mediated gene delivery aiming to apply the methods for gene therapy. Biophysical research group is also involved in investigation of development and regeneration of nervous system. Using various methods we aim to evaluate the effects Semaphorin 3A on development and regeneration of DRG axons and to understand signaling pathways that are governing these effects.
Main researchers
- Leader of the group prof. Saulius Šatkauskas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Mindaugas Venslauskas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Karolina Gugytė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Paulius Ruzgys (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Ingrida Šatkauskienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Šarūnas Ašmantas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Martynas Maciulevičius (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Milda Jakutavičiūtė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Baltramiejus Jakštys (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Diana Navickaitė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Mindaugas Visockis (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Rūta Palepšienė
PhD candidates
- Raminta Bartulienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Jurgita Rutkauskaitė-Sucilienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Aivaras Šalaševičius (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Salvijus Vykertas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Neringa Barauskaitė-Šarkinienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Ernestas Urbanskas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Justinas Venckus (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Aras Rafanavičius (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Simona Gelazunaite (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Diana Šiurnaitė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Aimal Waheed (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)