Prof. (HP) dr. Almira Ramanavičienė
Phone: +370 219 3115
Professor
Scientific Interests, Keywords
Development of enzymatic and immunosensors using electrochemical, optical and piezoelectric signal transducers;
Synthesis of nanoparticle, characterization, modification by proteins and application in analysis;
Nanobiotechnologies;
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.
Project and/or Grant leadership
Head of the projects:
1. 2022-2025 m. Research Council of Lithuania, Researcher Groups project “Surface plasmon resonance and spectroscopic ellipsometry based immunosensors for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 proteins”.
2. 20021-2023 m. European Regional Development Fund project under Measure 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 “Targeted Research in Smart Specialization Areas” and under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) “The investigation, evaluation, and practical application aspects of SARS-CoV-2-virus proteins interaction with specific antibodies” (COVID-19 R&D Implementation scheme (SMART)).
3. 2018-2023 Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017) project „Novel 1D photonic metal oxide nanostructures for early stage cancer detection”, head of VU scientific group.
4. 2018-2021 Operational Programme for the European Union Funds Investments in Lithuania under Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 “Development of competences of scientists, other researchers and students through practical research activities”, activity “Development of students’ abilities to conduct R&D activities”, Sub-activities “Development of students’ abilities by conducting research during the semester” and activity “Development of students’ abilities by participation in scientific summer internships”, 7 projects:
• 2021-2022 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-25-0075 „Gold nanoparticles for sensitive detection of heparin by optical and piezoelectric signal recording methods”.
• 2020-2021 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-22-0171 „Application of magnetic gold-coated nanoparticles for the determination of human growth hormone ”.
• 2019-2020 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-16-0170 „Determination of optimal conditions for nanoparticles used in the analysis modification by antibody”.
• 2019 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-15-0212 „Application of polyaniline nanostructures and graphene oxide in glucose biosensors ”.
• 2018-2019 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-10-0168 „Application of electrochemically nanostructured electrode in immunosensor design”.
• 2018 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-09-0248 „Investigation of the efficiency of antibody immobilization on different surfaces by scanning electrochemical microscopy and optical methods ”.
• 2017-2018 Project No. 09.3.3.-LMT-K-712-03-0090 „Improvement of the method for optical determination of reducing sugars and its application for analysis in real samples“.
5. 2017-2018 National Research Program Towards future technologies Project “Electrochromic/electrochemical gas sensor“.
6. 2015-2016 Lithuanian–French Programme “Gilibert” project for Bilateral Cooperation, the project “Nanostructured surfaces for optical biosensors”.
7. 2015 Research Council of Lithuania, student’s research projects (2 students).
8. 2012-2014 Research Council of Lithuania Researcher group project „Application of micromembrane devices for the registration of specific antigen-antibody interaction”, head of Vilnius University scientific group.
9. 2010-2011 Research Council of Lithuania Researcher group project “Multifunctional system for improvement of immunosensors operation”.
10. 2006-2011 COST action D43 “Colloid and interface chemistry for nanotechnology”; National representative and leader of the national group.
11. 2006-2011 COST action D40 “Innovative catalysis: new processes and selectivities”; National representative and leader of the national group from 2010.
12. 2010 Research Council of Lithuania, student’s research projects (2 students).
13. 2008-2010 Postdoctoral Fellowship project, Research Council of Lithuania and EU.
14. 2004-2009 COST action D33 “Nanoscale electrochemical and bio-processes (corrosion) at solid-aqueous interfaces of industrial materials”.
15. 2006-2008 European Social Fund project “Studies program of Nanotechnology and materials science center”; leader of the project group.
16. 2001-2007 COST action 853 “Agricultural bio-markers for array technology; National representative and leader of the national group from 2003.
Invited Talks
• 2nd International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 11-14 March 2020 Antalya, Turkey. “Electrochemical glucose biosensor based on dendritic gold nanostructures”. Invited speaker
• Euroanalysis XX, 1-5 September 2019, Istanbul, Turkey. „Some aspects in the development of immunosensors“. Keynote speaker.
Supervision of Doctoral Students and/or Postdoc Students
Supervision for PhD students:
1. Arunas Stirke (2013) “Investigation of the chemical and electrical effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell properties”
2. Jaroslav Voronovic (2014) “Gold nanoparticles and π-π conjugated polymer polypyrrole for glucose biosensors design”
3. Nerijus Karlonas (2015) “Investigation of solid phase extraction methods for a residue analysis of sedative-hypnotic drugs in biological specimens by fast gas chromatography techniques”
4. Asta Makaraviciute (2015) “Site-directed antibody immobilization in immunosensor development“
5. Anton Popov (2018) “Investigation of colloid solutions consisting of polymeric and metallic nanoparticles”
6. Laura Sakalauskiene (preliminary data 2023) “Application of nanostructures in biosensor design”
7. Benediktas Brasiunas (preliminary data 2023) “Application of metal and metal oxide nanostructures for the determination of biologically active substances
8. Katazyna Blazevic (preliminary data 2026) "Determination of biologically active substances by electrochemical methods"
Supervision Postdoctoral Fellowship projects funded by European Social Funds under Measure 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 “Development of Scientific Competences of Scientists, other Researchers and Students through Practical Research Activities:
1. 2018-2020 dr. Inga Morkvenaite-Vilkonciene „Development and improvement of an immunosensor using site-directed immobilization of antibody and a scanning electrochemical microscopy“.
2. 2020-2022 dr. Ieva Plikusiene „Determination of biologically active substances using spectroscopic ellipsometry enhanced by plasmonic excitations“.
3. 2021-2023 dr. Ilona Uzieliene „Application of biocompatible polypyrrole structures for electrical stimulation of mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenic differentiation”
Supervision Postdoctoral Fellowship projects funded by the Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation:
4. 2008-2010 dr. Tatjana Kochane
Supervision for Trainees:
1. Ekaterina Georgieva, "Paisii Hilendarski" University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria (2022, 2 months).
Teaching Courses
• Analysis of biological, medical and nutritional materials (2010-2022, lectures and practical work); Chemistry/Chemistry of Nanomaterials programs; Bachelor studies.
• Nanobiotechnology (2014-2022, lectures and practical work); Chemistry of Nanomaterials program; Bachelor studies.
• Nanotechnology in analytical chemistry; (2011-2022, lectures and practical work); Chemistry program; Master studies.
• Immunoanalysis (2011-2022, lectures and practical work); Chemistry program; Master studies.
• Analytical chemistry (2010-2022, practical work), Biochemistry program; Bachelor studies.
Participation in the national/international governing bodies, commissions, committees, boards etc.
• 2021-2022 Member of the PhD Student Attestation Commission, VU CHGF.
• From 2017 Chair of the Biochemistry study program committee at Vilnius University.
• From 2017 Member of the defense commission for bachelor's theses of the biochemistry study program, VU CH every year.
Member of the scientific committee at international conferences:
• Organizer of the annual Chemists' Conference "Chemistry and Chemical Technology 2019" and member of the scientific committee of the conference; May 16, 2019, Vilnius, Lithuania.
• 1st International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 27-30 March 2019 Antalya, Turkey.
• 2nd International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 11-14 March 2020 Antalya, Turkey.
• 3nd International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 22-26 March 2021 Antalya, Turkey.
• 4nd International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 23-27 March 2022 Antalya, Turkey.
• International Conference “Functional Inorganic Materials 2022”, 6-8 October, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Expertise
• 2021-2022 HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN
• 2019-2021 m. The National Science Centre of Poland;
• 2010-2021 Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA);
• 2010 -2013, 2019 Research Council of Lithuania;
• 2016 H2020-FTIPilot;
• 2015 Russian Science Foundation;
• 2010 - 2013 New Eurasia Foundation;
• 2010 - 2013 FP7-PEOPLE-IIF-IEF-IOF;
• 2008 - 2009 FP7-PEOPLE-IRSES;
• 2008 FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-IRG;
Awards
- 2023 UNESCO – Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences.
- 2018 Vilnius University Rector Award for the outstanding scientist.
- 2014 Vilnius University Rector Award for the outstanding scientist.
- 2010 Lithuanian National Science Award.
- 2010 Vilnius University Rector Award for the outstanding scientist.
Science popularization
• 2021 08 23 Interview about scientific activities of NanoTechnas – Center for Nanotechnology and Materials Science at Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University. Lithuanian TV - LNK TV News Service, program “Good evening, Lithuania”: Virus research.
• 2021 09 21 Interview/article about the research and H2020-MSCA-RISE project “Novel 1D Photonic Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Early Stage Cancer Detection” conducted at NanoTechnas – Center for Nanotechnology and Materials Science at Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University. Lithuanian National TV/News - LRT, Science and IT section.
• Virtual Vilnius University Study Fair 2021 and 2022. Presentation and promotion of the Biochemistry study program.
• Virtual presentation and promotion of the Biochemistry study program at Vilnius University during the Lithuanian Biotechnologists Association organized scientific week (2021 05 13)
• 2019 participation/co-operation/collaboration with scientists and private companies at The Pittsburg Conference & Exposition PITTCON 2019 according to Open Access to Science and Research (MITAP II) program, Project promoter: Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA).
• Chapter in a book. Immunosensors for analysis of biologically active materials (LT: Imuniniai jutikliai biologiškai aktyvių medžiagų analizėje). In the book: Evolution of Immunology in Lithuania: three ages of resistance and immunity studies / Eds. V. Tamošiūnas, R. Malickaitė, B. Šitkauskienė, B. Railiene, A. Eidukaitė, M. Mauricas. Vilnius, Vrublevsky Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 2016: 616 p. - 233-240 p. ISBN 978-9986-498-70-4.
Other activities related to the development of the country's economy, culture and society
• From 2022 Chair of the Lithuanian Chemical Society.
• From 2017 Head of NanoTechnas - Center for Nanotechnology and Materials Science at VU CHGF.
Member of the Editorial board of the journal:
• “Sensors” - Biosensors section. IF 3.847
Guest Editor of Special Issues in journals:
• “Polymers”, SI “Polymers in Sensors and Biosensors Design”. IF 4.967 Q1
• “Biosensors”, SI “Optical, Electrochemical and Acoustic Methods Based Biosensors for the Investigation of Biomolecules Interactions”. IF 5.743 Q1
• “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”, SI “Immunoanalytical and Bioinformatics Methods in Immunology Research”. IF 6.208 Q1
Patents:
1. European patent application No. 21217822.2, Method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell and an electrochemical cell. The registration date 2021 12 27.
2. A. Ramanavičius, A. Valiūnienė, U. Samukaitė-Bubnienė, P. Virbickas, A. Ramanavičienė. Methods for the treatment of titanium base with Prussian blue and it’s use in glucose biosensors. Patent LT 6624 B. Data of publication: 2017-05-26.
3. G. Vanagas, D. Viržonis, G. Šergalis, A. Ramanavičienė, A. Ramanavičius. System and method of analysis of the liquid sample. Patent LT 6394 B. Data of publication: 2017-06-12.
4. E. Andriukonis, A. Stirke, L. Mikoliunaite, Z. Balevicius, A. Ramanaviciene, A. Ramanavicius. Pyrrole bio-polymerization using redox mediator. Patent LT 6239 B. Data of publication: 2016-01-11.