Topic title |
Possible scientific supervisors |
Source of funding |
Tumor-on-a-chip: Development and research of a cancer investigation platform prototype
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vyr.m.d. dr. Edvinas Krugly |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Tumor-on-chip (Tumor-on-chip) is a modern principle of cancer research that allows growing a tumor in an artificial microenvironment from the cells of a tumor taken from a human biopsy. This principle makes it possible to simulate various stages of tumor growth and its effect on drugs. During the research, the development and production of the chip platform will be carried out by 3D stereolithography and different methods of the electrohydrohymanic process. The chemical properties of the created chip are studied, the chemical modification of the surface is carried out in order to increase the biocompatibility of the starting materials, the properties of biocompatibility and cytotoxicity, and the formation of tumor tissue are studied.
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Preparation and characterisation of bioactive scaffolds with encapsulated cell-stimulating growth factors
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doc. dr. Odeta Baniukaitienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
3D scaffolds with growth factors encapsulated in nanocarriers are one of the most promising tools for bone tissue regeneration. During this work, advanced technologies will be used to form 3D scaffolds with encapsulated cell-stimulating growth factors. Using the immunoenzymatic method, the release kinetics of bioactive compounds in in vitro model media will be investigated. Physico-chemical properties of bioactive 3D scaffolds, and influence on cell viability, proliferation, tissue regeneration will be investigated.
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Synthesis and investigation of the electron-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
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v.m.d. dr. Artiom Magomedov |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The PhD project aims to address efficiency limitations in inverted perovskite solar cells due to the interface between fullerene C60 and perovskite, with a focus on sustainability. Inspired by recent breakthroughs with non-fullerene acceptors (NFA), the research involves synthesizing new electron-selective materials. Key objectives include optimizing synthesis conditions, analyzing optoelectronic properties, and testing applicability of materials in perovskite solar cells. It is expected, that this project will contribute to sustainable electricity production and expedite the commercialization of solar cells.
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Evaluation of various microalgal strains as sources of edible protein and bioactive peptides
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doc. dr. Michail Syrpas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Marine algae produce various bioactive molecules, which can be further developed as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals for human nutrition supplementation and disease therapy. Over the last years, various microalgae strains have attracted scientific attention as potential sources of edible proteins and bioactive peptides due to their high-protein content. However, various parameters must be evaluated and optimized before utilizing microalgae as sustainable sources of dietary proteins and bioactive peptides. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate the potential of various microalgal strains as sustainable protein and bioactive peptide sources. Towards this: (1) total protein content, amino acid profile, and protein digestibility of microalgal-derived proteins will be evaluated; (2) to assess the efficiency of various techniques (e.g. enzymatic hydrolysis, and microbial fermentation) to release bioactive peptides from microalgae (3) the obtained fractions will be screened for their functional properties (i.e., antioxidant, enzyme inhibiting activity) with various bioassays; (4) based on bioassay-guided fractionation, active extracts will be further fractionated, purified, and characterized by various techniques to identify and/ or synthesize target active peptide(s). Results from this research are expected to lead to at least three scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, which will also be presented at national and international conferences. Moreover, it is highly anticipated that besides the scientific value and outputs of the planned project, successful implementation of this project's activities may lead to practical applications with commercialization potential. Overall, this research is expected to attract interest from various stakeholders and empower future collaborations with academic and industrial partners.
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Formation and study of metal chalcogenide layers on the surface of various substrates
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doc. dr. Remigijus Ivanauskas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
With the development of technology and the rapid growth of humanity, the need for energy is constantly increasing. However, due to the high prices of fossil fuels of hydrocarbon origin and the high pollution consequences of their use, opportunities to replace fossil fuels are constantly being sought. Due to the ever-increasing prices of fossil fuels and, as a consequence of their use, high levels of pollution, the search for alternative methods of energy production is of increasing interest. The semiconductor layers of some binary compounds of d-metal chalcogenides are characterized by a wide band gap, which allows them to absorb most of the energy of the solar radiation spectrum. Therefore, they attract much attention from researchers and are especially attractive for the production of solar cells. Furthermore, due to their valuable physical and mechanical properties, metal chalcogenide layers are widely used in infrared radiation detectors, LED lamps, holographic data storage systems, new generation of energy storage devices and as catalysts for the production of green hydrogen. The goal of the proposed research is the formation of metal chalcogenide layers on the surface of selected carrier substrates that are promising in the field of equipment for solar energy conversion or catalysts for the production of green hydrogen.
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Preparation, characterization and application of metal sulfide composites
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prof. dr. Ingrida Ancutienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The aim of the study is to prepare metal sulfide-based composites by a simple and easily controlled method, which can be used for photocatalytic water splitting or photovoltaics.
Photocatalytic water splitting is a potentially efficient and cost-effective way to produce hydrogen, in which sunlight is absorbed and water is split directly into hydrogen and oxygen. Among the typical semiconductive photocatalysts, cadmium sulfide (CdS) and other CdS-based composites (like CdS-ZnS, CdS-MoS2, CdS-SnS2, CdS-CuS, CdS-CoSx) are outstanding candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) because of their strong visible absorption and appropriate photo redox potentials. Synthesis of metal sulfides with visible-light absorption, good stability and high photocatalytic performance have become research hotspots. Multi-component metal chalcogenides have the characteristics of good stability, narrow band gap, high photoconductivity, strong visible-light response and low toxicity.
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Synthesis and investigation of N-aryl substituted amino acids and their derivatives with azole and azine moiety
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prof. habil. dr. Vytautas Mickevičius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The most stable and common in nature are five- and six-membered heterocycles with oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur atoms. Carboxylic acid hydrazides, hydrazones are widely used in synthetic and analytical chemistry, known as plasticizers, polymer stabilizers or polymerization initiators. Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators, medicinal substances with antituberculosis, antitumor, antibacterial, antispasmodic effects were also found among them. In addition, they are used in the synthesis of five-, six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds with one, two or three nitrogen atoms in the ring. One of the methods for obtaining these compounds is various cyclocondensation reactions of carboxylic acids and their hydrazides. N-aryl substituted amino acids, their cyclization products, whose salts, amides, hydrazides, esters, thioesters, nitriles stimulate the growth of outdoor plants, some substituted pyrrolidinones are used as medicinal products and are used in the treatment of cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, mental disorders. The essence of the planned work is to synthesize potentially biologically active variously substituted pyrrole, thiazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, azine heterocyclic systems, to determine their structure and to study their chemical and biological properties. The practical significance of the work will be described by the investigation of the antibacterial properties of some of the synthesized compounds and the evaluation of the dependence of their activity on the chemical structure. Based on the obtained data, it will be possible to develop a methodology for targeted synthesis of antimicrobial agents, intermediates for organic synthesis.
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Novel hybrid perovskite compositions for application in solar cells
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v.m.d. dr. Kasparas Rakštys |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The main area of research will be the synthesis and characterization of materials for use in organic and/or hybrid photovoltaic devices. The position asks for skills in multistep synthesis of charge generating and transporting materials, in particular novel hybrid perovskite and related pigments. The candidates are expected to be independent, highly ambitious, career oriented, and hard working. We offer excellent working conditions and an environment strongly conducive to academic research.
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Synthesis, structure and properties of new five/six-membered heterocyclic compounds |
prof. habil. dr. Algirdas Šačkus |
state-funded |
Design, synthesis and investigation of novel pyrazole-containing compounds |
prof. dr. Eglė Arbačiauskienė |
state-funded |
Nauji elektroaktyvūs dariniai organiniams šviesą emituojantiems diodams
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prof. dr. Saulius Grigalevičius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Recent advances in organic optoelectronics, particularly in efficient organic light-emitting devices (OLED), have called for new electro-active organic materials as well as for new device technologies. Small OLED-based displays already generate hundreds of millions of dollars. Larger OLED displays will penetrate the television market in the not-too-distant future. Nowadays white displays play important role in lightening. Further advances of these devices substantially rely on development and studying of high-performance organic charge-transport and host materials, theoretical understanding of charge and energy transport in the organic systems and their well-balanced application in phosphorescent and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices. The aim of this project is to synthesize several groups of polymeric, dendrimeric or branched wide band gap derivatives, which would serve as thermally stable host materials or TADF emitters for organic light emitting diodes. In order to optimize efficiencies of the devices, several groups of new hole transporting materials, which are used as additional charge injecting/ transporting layers, will be also synthesized in the frame of this project.
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Extraction, characterization and utilization of pectin from plant-based waste and by-products of food processing
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doc. dr. Milda Pukalskienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Fruits and vegetables mainly used in production of variuos food products, which end up with 20- 30 % of pomace. Pomace is a potential source of high value bioactive constituents such as polyphenolic antioxidants, vitamins, pectins, lipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and many more other compounds. Currently most of such by-products are discharged as waste causing the loss of valuable nutrients and creating environmental problems. Despite the wide utilization of pectin in the food industry, the available knowledge on the complicated extraction process and chemistry of pectin is limited. Pectin is a versatile food ingredient that can be utilized in the development of functional food ingredients. This research
covers two main areas of importance on the production and utilization of pectin. The main aim will be focused on optimization of process. The second study will investigate the use of pectin as wall material component for the encapsulation. The incorporation of small amounts of pectin in the wall material can increase the encapsulation efficiency and reduce the particle size and distribution, without affecting the surface
morphology of the particles. Chemistry of natural compounds is a rapidly developing area of research which served in isolation and characterization of new valuable materials.
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Studies of self-assembling biopolymeric derivatives
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prof. dr. Ramunė Rutkaitė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Numerous approaches have been developed for the self-assembly of natural or synthetic amphiphiles into soft core-shell nano- or microobjects which are of great interest in various fields. Among these amphiphilic molecules, amphiphiles containing natural blocks, such as polysaccharides, have attracted the most attention because they are non-toxic, non-immunogenic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and renewable. Polysaccharide based amphiphilic copolymers might represent a new class of biopolymeric materials with potential applications in different fields such as medicinal applications and pharmaceutics where the design of nano or microdevices carrying a polysaccharide chains can be also of interest for therapy, vaccination and diagnostic purposes.
The aim of this research work – to obtain various modified polysaccharide structures having both hydrophilic and lipophilic groups and to explore their properties in the light of different potential applications.
During the course of the project chemical and physical modification of natural polysaccharides will be performed to obtain the derivatives of different structure, amphiphilicity, charge density (either neutral or charged), molecular weight etc. The self-aggregation behavior of obtained amphiphilic polysaccharides in water via formation of various structures e.g. hydrogel nanoparticles, micelles, polymersomes, oil in water emulsions etc. as well as their properties will be also assessed. The developed materials will be also tested in some applications such as controlled delivery of target compounds via stimuli responses e.g. pH, temperature, enzyme-degradation etc.
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Characterization of the phytochemical composition and functional properties of rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) extracts
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doc. dr. Vaida Kitrytė-Syrpa |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Currently, phytopreparations for prophylaxis and targeted treatment are very popular among health-conscious consumers, as modern analytical methods allow to determine the phytochemical composition of various plant materials, scientifically substantiate in vitro and in vivo functional properties of bioactive constituents, and to develop efficient isolation and application technologies thereof. Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is valued in non-traditional medicine because of its strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects, and is used to provide supportive function to the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems. The aim of the research – isolation of valuable constituents from rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) leaves applying environmentally and human-friendly multistep biorefining (valorisation) technologies, analysis of extract phytochemical composition and functional properties, and targeted applications towards the development of functional phytopreparations. Results obtained in this research will lead to at least 3 scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, will be presented in the national and international conferences. The assessment of FPE functional properties in selected biological matrices will be performed during the Erasmus internships collaborating with the scientists from the foreign higher education institutions. FPE and FPE-based functional product prototypes will be presented in the international exhibition of young creators TECHNORAMA, annually organized by KTU.
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Synthesis, investigation and application of hole-transporting organic electroactive compounds in optoelectronic devices |
v.m.d. dr. Viktorija Andrulevičienė |
state-funded |