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Search for Enzymes Involved in the Metabolism of Modified Heterocyclic Bases and Their Application in Drug Synthesis

December 19, 2025
At the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, a research project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (LMT) titled “Deciphering the Demethylation Pathways of Naturally Modified Heterocyclic Bases” has been launched.
 
Modified nucleosides are chemical modifications of standard nucleosides found in RNA and DNA. They play an important role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, in the development of diseases such as cancer, and in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms. Some of these modifications are used to improve the effectiveness of next-generation mRNA vaccines. While the formation of modified nucleosides in nucleic acids is well studied, much less is known about how they are degraded and how the resulting nucleotides, nucleosides, and heterocyclic bases are returned to metabolism.
 
This project will investigate methylated heterocyclic bases and search for the enzymes and corresponding genes responsible for their demodification. The identified enzymes will be characterized and applied in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer compounds.
 
The project is carried out by Professors J. Urbonavičius and D. Tauraitė, Associate Professor S. Biyada, and master’s student I. Petkevičiūtė. In addition to the planned research activities, the project will also support the preparation of bachelor’s and master’s theses.

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When ideas become virtual worlds: the synergy of creativity and technology at the BLON festival
When ideas become virtual worlds: the synergy of creativity and technology at the BLON festival
This year at the festival, lecturers and students from the Department of Graphical Systems represented the university with an interactive exhibition titled "VILNIUS TECH: Synergy of Creativity and Technology." Additionally, Bachelor's students in Multimedia and Computer Design and Master's students in Digital Animation Technologies presented their work to visitors and creative industry professionals. Some of them even became speakers in the official BLON educational programme. "In the Multimedia and Computer Design study programme, we follow a simple principle: students' practical assignments must be created not just for grading, but in a way that allows them to be showcased publicly. At the BLON Festival, students present their projects to a real audience, answer questions from visitors and industry professionals, and receive direct feedback. This develops not only their professional skills but also their communication abilities, helping them integrate into the industry more smoothly. For the industry, meanwhile, it is an opportunity to evaluate the students' practical abilities and determine if their skills align with company needs," says Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Semėnas, Technical Artist and Vice-Dean for Alumni and Partnerships at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Fundamental Sciences. Technologies Could Not Only Be Seen but Also Experienced Running for four days at the Klaipėda Culture Factory, the VILNIUS TECH interactive exhibition became a space where visitors could not only see the works created by students but also try out modern creative technologies themselves. Virtual reality, video mapping, 3D graphics, and interactive projects provided a closer look at how technology is used in creating animation, video games, and virtual reality content. The exhibition featured course projects and final theses by Bachelor's students in Multimedia and Computer Design and Master's students in Digital Animation Technologies. To showcase them, virtual reality workstations were set up using Meta Quest headsets, a video mapping system, and other technical equipment dedicated to creative projects. This allowed visitors not only to observe the final results but also to gain a better understanding of the technological side of creating these projects.   Students: Not Just Festival Participants, but Also Speakers One of the most important highlights of VILNIUS TECH's participation in the BLON Festival was the students' involvement in its official programme. Elžbieta Poliakova spoke about the possibilities of stylized lighting in CGI animation; Sabina Mamedova presented the application of woodcut-style animation in a VR 360 project; Jovilė Gečaitė examined the rotoscoping method in animation; and Anastasija Aušra Simaškaitė shared her experience in applying hybrid animation techniques. The educational programme was also enriched by presentations from VILNIUS TECH lecturers and specialists: Dr. Tomas Mitkus presented the map of the Lithuanian animation industry in 2026 and examined the role of generative AI in European animation, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rokas Semėnas spoke about the training of technical artists at VILNIUS TECH.   Creative Technologies: From Study Projects to Professional Careers Participation in BLON also reveals the broader direction of training technical artists: when animation, sound, graphics, and interactive content merge into a single project, a creator can no longer rely on knowledge from just one field. Alongside artistic and creative skills, technological proficiency—the ability to understand the project's platform and technical limitations—is becoming increasingly important. Soft skills, especially the ability to present one's work to different audiences, are equally crucial. "During the event, students have to briefly pitch their work multiple times and communicate clearly with various people who ask different questions and have different communication styles. This process significantly contributes to the development of students' soft skills and a smoother transition into the industry," emphasizes R. Semėnas. The VILNIUS TECH exhibition was visited by over 400 people, including schoolchildren, their parents, teachers, lecturers, and professionals from the Lithuanian and international animation and gaming industries. Conversations went beyond just presenting study programmes: visitors were interested in the VILNIUS TECH students' projects, their creation process, the technologies used, and professional opportunities in the animation and video game sectors.
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