LIETUVOS IMUNOLOGŲ DRAUGIJA

The Lithuanian Society for Immunology

The Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) unites researchers and clinicians working in the field of immunology.

LSI maintains international contacts with scientists from abroad, especially with our neighbors – the immunologists from Latvia and Estonia.

LSI is a member of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS).

Brief history

LSI was founded in 1991 by the efforts of professors V. A. Tamošiūnas and B. Padegimas, assoc. prof. E. Razgauskas, and others.

LSI prepared the Statute that was registered at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania.

After its establishment, LSI organized Summer Schools for Young Immunologists in different Lithuanian towns: Birštonas (1992), Palanga (1993), Trakai (1995), and Nida (1997) to promote the activities in the field of immunology. In the schedule of these Summer schools, prominent immunologists from Lithuania and foreign countries (Germany, Sweden, Poland, UK) presented lectures and seminars. In later Summer schools, the reports were also made by the former Summer school attendees, who studied abroad.

Activities

LSI elects the Society Board and the Revision Committee as well as determines the annual membership fee.

At the annual meetings that usually take place in December, LSI foresees and plans the activities for the coming year, i. e. the seminars, conferences, and participation in the conferences or the internship abroad.

LSI also organizes the annual conferences on the Day of Immunology (April 29) which has been announced by IUIS and EFIS and is celebrated worldwide since 2005. Information about the Day of Immunology can be found here:

https://www.efis.org/home.html#anc424

Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) contact e-mail:

info@imunologai.lt

LSI President

Prof. dr. Aurelija Žvirblienė (aurelija.zvirbliene@bti.vu.lt)

LSI Board

Dr. Vita Pašukonienė
LSI Head of the Board

Dr. Dovilė Stravinskienė
LSI Secretary (maternal leave)

Dr. Martynas Simanavičius (martynas.simanavicius@bti.vu.lt)
LSI Deputy Secretary

Dr. Asta Miškinienė
LSI Treasurer

Board members:

Dr. Audronė Eidukaitė
Dr. Agata Mlynska
Indrė Dalgėdienė
Dr. Ingrida Jacevičienė
Dr. Eivina Radzevičiūtė-Valčiukė
Dr. Radvilė Malickaitė

EVENTS

2025-03-26

Baltic-Polish School of Immunology in Vilnius

Lithuanian Society of Immunology announces the Baltic-Polish School of Immunology that will take place in Vilnius on May 12-13, 2025.

Please visit the website of the event:
https://bpsi2025.lt/

Conference dedicated to the International Day of Immunology

We invite you to the conference “Are all diseases really caused by nerves? The cross-talk of the immune system and the nervous system” dedicated to the International Day of Immunology. The conference will take place on April 29, 2025 at the Small Hall of the Academy of Sciences (Gedimino av. 3). The conference is organized by the LSI and the Academy of Sciences. This year's topic of the Day of Immunology is “Brain and Immunity: Immunological Insights into Neurological Disorders” as announced by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Therefore, the advances in immunology and neuroscience will be discussed at the conference. The speakers of the conference are Professor Osvaldas Rukšėnas from Vilnius University, Professor Jurgita Skiecevičienė from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and neurologist Mantas Vaišvilas from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics. They will talk about the impact of emotional stress on the body, the cross-talk between the intestinal microbiota, the nervous system and the immune system, and the connection of neurological disorders with the immune response.

Conference “Are all diseases really caused by nerves? The cross-talk of the immune system and the nervous system” dedicated to the International Day of Immunology

Date: April 29, 2025, at 14:00 – 17:00.
Venue: Small Hall of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS), Gedimino av. 3.
Organizers: Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) and the Department of Biology, Medicine and Geosciences (DBMGS) of the LAS.

PROGRAM

14:00-14:10 Conference opening. LSI President Aurelija Žvirblienė, LAS DBMGS Chairman Limas Kupčinskas
14:10-14:40 Stress and the Brain. Prof. Osvaldas Rukšėnas, Vilnius University
14:40-15:10 Gut Feelings: Microbiota-Driven Neuroimmune Crosstalk in GI Health and Disease. Prof. Jurgita Skiecevičienė, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
15:10-15:40 How Immunology is Changing the Practice of Neurology. Mantas Vaišvilas, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics
15:40-17:00 Discussion, refreshments

IUIS 2025 – 19th International Congress of Immunology

IUIS invite you to Vienna for the 19th International Congress of Immunology, taking place August 17-22, 2025. Under the theme “Waltzing into the Future of Immunology: For a Better Health,” this congress—hosted by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)—will showcase cutting-edge research and global collaboration in immunology.

Experience inspiring scientific sessions while enjoying Vienna’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. From world-class museums and concert halls to charming wineries and scenic landscapes, Vienna offers the perfect setting for discovery and connection.

Save the dates and spread the word! We look forward to welcoming you to this unforgettable event.

Early fees apply until April 15, 2025. LSI invite its members to register and participate!

2024-12-18

LSI Annual Meeting

On December 12, 2024, the Annual meeting of LSI was held at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Before the meeting, a guided tour to the newly established Science Center of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU) was organized. The Senior Manager of Innovation Dept. Dr. Andrius Kaselis presented an impressive infrastructure of the Center: the laboratories for applied neurosciences, genetics, digital medicine, and virological research.
The LSI Annual meeting was started by LSI members from the Lithuanian University of Heath Sciences (LUHS) and the National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NFVRAI). Dr. Laura Tamašauskienė presented the diverse scientific activities of the Laboratory of Immunology of the LUHS Clinics of Immunology and Allergology, including research on immunodeficiencies, allergic diseases, and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms. Dr. Ingrida Jacevičienė presented the achievements of the Virology Department of the NFVRAI in controlling viral infections such as rabies, classical and African swine fever, fish viral diseases, etc.
Junior immunologists Dr. Eglė Žymantaitė (NCI), Dr. Asta Lučiūnaitė (VU) and Dr. Kristina Mašalaitė (VU) shared their impresssions from international conferences - the Southern Eeastern European Immunology School in Croatia (SEEIS2024), the European Congress of Immunology (ECI) in Dublin, the European Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Biology Meeting (EMDS) in Austria.
The Annual report of LSI was presented by LSI President Aurelija Žvirblienė, who reviewed the most important events of 2024 - the conference "Through Life with Allergy" dedicated to the International Day of Immunology, EFIS on Tour symposium, and also presented the issues discussed by LSI Council. She informed about future events and invited LSI members to actively participate at the Baltic-Polish School of Immunology in May 2025. LSI Treasurer Dr. Asta Miškinienė and the Chairman of the Audit Commission Dr. Almantas Šiaurys presented the Annual financial report of LSI.
LSI members honored the memory of the LSI founder and long-time president Prof. Vytas Tamošiūnas with a minute of silence.
During the informal discussion, an active LSI member Dr. Aldona Rainytė (who celebrated her 90th birthday in 2023) told a touching story from her clinical practice, how she managed to cure a baby diagnosed with primary hypogammaglobulinemia in 1991. This was a story with a happy end, illustrating the progress of immunology over the past decades.

LSI members at the Science Center of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University

2024-09-16

Spring School on Immunology in Germany

The German Society for Immunology in a joint effort with IUIS are able to offer 3 full scholarships for students from and studying/working in the low to middle income countries for the Spring School on Immunology organized by the DGfI. The Spring School on Immunology is an advanced training in immunological topics for young scientists with solid knowledge of immunology, e.g. doctoral students in their last year. The next school will take place from March 9 to 14, 2025. Find all information on the school itself on https://dgfi.org/akademie-fuer-immunologie/spring-school/.

The application has to be done via https://dgfi.org/iuis-dgfi-stipends/.

Deadline for application is October 13, 2024. Application only via https://dgfi.org/iuis-dgfi-stipends/.

2024-09-09

Lithuanian immunologists participated at the European Congress of Immunology (ECI 2024) in Dublin

The 7th European Congress of Immunology (ECI 2024) that was held in Dublin (Ireland) from September 1st to 4th 2024, was attended by a large delegation of Lithuanian immunologists - 11 LSI members. The Congress was organized by the Irish Society of Immunology and took place at the Convention Centre Dublin. The scientific program of ECI 2024 was very broad, covering various areas of immunology. Besides Keynote presentations, several parallel thematic symposia and workshops as well as poster sessions were organized, where LSI members presented their posters. At the workshops, early-career immunologists presented short (up to 10 minutes) talks. LSI members not only actively participated in poster sessions, but also contributed to their organization - M. Simananavičius, A. Lučiūnaitė, I. Dalgėdienė, A. Mlynska evaluated the submitted abstracts before the congress, while A. Žvirblienė moderated one of the workshops ('Immunity in respiratory infections').

In addition to the scientific program, the EFIS General Assembly took place during the congress, where the representatives of national societies elected new members of the EFIS Board and the organizers of the upcoming 9th Congress. According to voting results, Copenhagen will host the ECI in 2030 (the next ECI will be held in Florence in 2027).

Due to the rainy, windy weather and the intensive Congress program, we had no time for sightseeing, but it was nice to see Dubliners gathering at the technological sculpture - a portal with a live broadcast from Vilnius.

2024-05-31

In memoriam Vytas Antanas Tamošiūnas

V.A.Tamošiūnas with S.Gendvilis and H.H.Peter, 2023.

We announce with deep sadness about the death of Vytas Antanas Tamošiūnas (1942-2024), the founder and long-term President of the Lithuanian Society of Immunology.

V.A. Tamošiūnas, who graduated with honor from the Lithuanian Academy of Veterinary Medicine in 1965, entered the targeted post-graduate studies at the Institute of Biochemistry of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS) and the Institute of Cytology of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. In 1970, he defended his PhD thesis in Biological Sciences, and in 1986 his doctoral thesis in Biological Sciences.

The academic activity of V.A. Tamošiūnas was dedicated to the development of immunology research in Lithuania. Since 1974, he was a head of the Laboratory of Immunology and Immunochemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry. In 1990, he initiated the establishment of the Institute of Immunology that was under his leadership until 2007.

V.A. Tamošiūnas was a member of LAS (since 2011), the laureate of the Lithuanian Science Prize (2006). author of numerous scientific articles, books, a member of various commissions and editorial boards. Besides of academic activities, he also teached and supervised students. He was a great organizer.

Thanks to the efforts of V.A. Tamošiūnas, the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) was founded in 1991. He was the President of LSI until 2012. During this period, extensive international activities of LSI were developed, collaborations with immunologists from the Baltic countries and Germany were established, and international summer schools iof mmunology were organized.

Lithuanian immunologists will remember with great gratitude the merits of V.A.Tamošiūnas for the Society and the development of immunology research in Lithuania.

2024-05-28

LSI members attended the School of Immunology in Bialystok

The School of Immunology "50 Shades of Immunology" took place in Bialystok (Poland) on, May 18-21, 2024. It was attended by a large delegation of LSI members, as well as representatives of Latvian and Estonian immunological societies. We went to Bialystok immediately after another important international event - the "EFIS on Tour" symposium in Vilnius, so it was a great opportunity not only to share scientific knowledge, but also to continue discussions about future plans and collaboration possibilities between Polish and Baltic immunologists.

The program of the event was very intensive and covered many topics from both fundamental and clinical immunology. Most of the scientific presentations were given by Polish immunologists, but there were also representatives of other countries (Finland, United Kingdom, Estonia, Latvia) among the speakers. LSI president Aurelija Žvirblienė presented an oral talk, and LSI members from VU Life Sciences Center and the National Cancer Institute presented posters. We are glad and grateful to organizers that 3 LSI members - Agata Mlynska, Dainius Gudas and Kristina Mašalaitė - received travel grants to participate in this school.

It is proposed the Polish-Baltic schools of immunology will become traditional and will be organized in a different country every year. The LSI is ready to accept this challenge and organize an international Summer school of immunology in 2025 in Vilnius.

LSI President A.Žvirblienė

2024-05-17

Vilnius hosted "EFIS on Tour"

The European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS) and the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) organized the "EFIS on Tour" symposium, which took place on May 17th, 2024 at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS).

"EFIS on Tour" is a traditional event organized by EFIS board that visits national immunological societies, discuss about their activities and provides valuable recommendations. This was the first visit of EFIS board to Lithuania.

In addition to LSI and EFIS board members, the event was attended by representatives of Latvian and Estonian immunological societies, researchers working in various Lithuanian institutions, students, PhD students. The program of the Symposium included the presentations about the activities of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian immunological societies, programs to be financed by EFIS and the European Commission (EC), recent advances in immunology research. An overview on the activities of Baltic immunological societies was given by Aurelija Žvirblienė, Kai Kisand and Natalja Kurjāne. The scientific presentations were made by young LSI members Asta Lučiūnaitė, Agata Mlynska, Ieva Adomaitė, EC representative Jonas Bunikis, EFIS board members Bojan Polić, Winfried F. Pickl, Marieke van Ham and Andreas Radbruch, the representative of BD Biosciences Morten Lobner. The symposium was followed by an informal discussion about the achievements, challenges and future plans of Baltic immunological societies.

K. Kisand, M. Simanavičius, A. Žvirblienė, B. Polić, M. van Ham, W.F. Pickl, T. Wiley, M. McGrath

The organizers are grateful to LAS administration for hosting the event and providing a technical support, the general sponsor BD Biosciences for a financial support, PhD students Dainius Gudas and Kristina Mašalaitė who volunteered at the symposium and all LSI members who contributed to organizing this event.

LSI president Aurelija Žvirblienė

Program of "EFIS on Tour":

Photogallery:

daugiau...

2024-04-29

Conference for the International Day of Immunology

To celebrate the International Day of Immunology, on April 29th, 2024 the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) and the Allergology Commission of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS) organized the conference "Life with allergy: from childhood to old age". The Day of Immunology takes place every year on April 29. The themes for this Day are proposed by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Day of Immunology 2024 theme is “Immunity Through the Ages: Navigating the Science of Aging and Immunology“. In line with this theme, issues of immunology and allergology related to aging were discussed at the conference. The conference was opened by LSI President Acad. Aurelija Žvirblienė and the Chair of the LAS Allergology Commission Acad. Rūta Dubakienė. Acad. A. Žvirblienė told about changes in the immune system from infancy to old age and cellular mechanisms of immunosenescence that cause a higher risk of infectious and autoimmune diseases in older age and a weaker response to vaccines. Acad. R. Dubakienė explained the nature of allergic diseases and provided recommendations for specific immunotherapy for patients of different ages. Member of LSI Board Dr. Asta Miškinienė presented a comprehensive overview of allergens, families of these molecules, their similarities and differences. LSI member Gabija Biliūtė presented a study that analyzed the sensitization pattern to various allergens in Lithuania. This study revealed significant differences in allergic sensitization profiles between children and adults. The conference was followed by an informal discussion.

2023-12-07

LSI Annual Conference

Participants of the LSI annual conference.

LSI annual conference was held on Dec. 5, 2023 at the Center for Innovative Medicine.
The conference was started by Vita Pašukonienė who presented the CITIM-2023 conference and its main topics. The traditional CITIM conference was supposed to take place in 2021, but it was postponed due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The conference was attended by 150 participants, including the researchers from the National Cancer Institute who presented both oral and poster presentations. The organizer of the CITIM-2023 conference V. Pašukonienė was pleased that both the scientific and cultural program of the conference was highly evaluated by the participants.

Dr. Martynas Simanavičius, member of LSI council, VU Life Sciences Center

Dr. V. Pašukonienė, LSI vice-president, National Cancer Institute

Martynas Simanavičius presented SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological study that was conducted in Spring 2023. This study was initiated by the Ministry of Health and funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. It was carried out by researchers from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Vilnius University and Santaros clinics. Despite a serious challenge related to difficulties to collect the planned representative cohort, it was possible to assess the level of immunization of the Lithuanian population that was shown to be extremely high (~99%). Based on the questionnaire data and the results of serological tests (anti-S and anti-N IgG), it was found that most of the subjects have "hybrid" immunity, formed both after vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Young scientists Eivina Radzevičiūtė-Valčiukė, Kristina Mašalaitė and Agata Mlynska shared their impressions from the international conferences and courses they attended in 2023.

After the scientific presentations, the LSI president Aurelija Žvirblienė presented the Annual report where she reviewed LSI activities, introduced new LID members and discussed future LID events, the most important of which is the expected visit of the EFIS Board to Vilnius in May 2024 (EFIS on Tour). The LSI report was continued by LSI treasurer Asta Miškinienė, who evaluated the year 2023 as financially successful, as it was possible to attract a significant amount of funds from sponsors. The chairman of the audit commission Almantas Šiaurys confirmed that the financial documents are handled properly. At the end of the annual conference, LSI secretary Dovilė Stravinskienė reminded about the changes to the LSI statutes and asked LSI members to express their opinion by voting.

Prof. Aurelija Žvirblienė, President of LSI, VU Life Sciences Center

2023-11-21

Conference "Baltic Immunological Day"

The scientific-practical conference "Baltic Immunological Day" organized by the Latvian Society of Immunologists was held in Riga on November 17th, 2023. The main topic of the conference was primary immunodeficiencies. Speakers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Germany presented interesting clinical cases and reviewed the advances in laboratory diagnostics.

Photo (from left to right): the participants of the Conference LSI board member dr. A.Miškinienė, LSI president prof. A.Žvirblienė, prof. V.Kvedarienė (Vilnius University), prof. B.Gradauskienė (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences).

After the conference, the representatives of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian immunological societies discussed the perspectives and possibilities of collaboration between immunologists of the Baltic states. The president of the Latvian Association of Immunologists N. Kurjane, the representative of the Estonian Society for Immunology and Allergology K. Kisand, the president of LSI A. Žvirblienė and the member of LSI Council A. Miškinienė participated in the discussion and shared plans how to revive the former intensive cooperation of Baltic immunological societies. The future joint events of Baltic immunologists including Immunology Summer Schools may significantly contribute to the cooperation. LSI representatives invited Latvian and Estonian colleagues to participate in the "EFIS on Tour" symposium, which will be held in 2024. May 17 In Vilnius. Baltic immunologists will also participate in the Immunology Summer School taking place in Poland in 2024. May 18-21. It is planned that the next regional Immunology Summer School of three Baltic states and Poland will be organized in 2025 in Vilnius, so LSI will take a responsibility to organize this event.

More information about the Conference:
https://www.rsu.lv/en/events/baltic-immunological-day-practical-conference-professional-development

2023-06-21

ABC7 summer school in Tallinn: about autoimmunity and more

Participants of the summer school ABC7 in the open-air museum of Estonia (photo by Tamara Vorobjova, University of Tartu).

On June 14-16, 2023, members of the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) participated in the 7th international summer school "ABC7: Autoimmunity, B cell and Complement" organized by the Estonian Society for Immunology and Allergology (EIAS), The European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS) and the Nordic Complement Committee (NCC). Attendees heard exclusive presentations by renowned scientists on the cutting edge of the immune system in the fields of autoimmune response, B cells and the complement system, starting with keynote lectures by Seppo Meri (University of Helsinki, Finland) and Burkhard Becher (University of Zurich, Switzerland).

The target groups of the summer school were doctoral students, medical residents, early career researchers. They had the opportunity to present their work by oral and poster presentations, and participate in career development workshops. LSI member dr. Asta Lučiūnaitė presented her oral presentation on the research of macrophage activation by the immune complexes. During the career development workshop, LSI president prof. A. Žvirblienė presented what opportunities and challenges arise in the field of immunology research in Lithuania. During the discussion, the personal experiences of both experienced and young scientists were heard of their career path. Secretary of LSI and the representative of the EFIS Gender and Diversity Task Force Dr. D. Stravinskienė invited a more active discussion on the issues of gender equality and underrepresented groups, and former EFIS General Secretary Pablo Engel (University of Barcelona, Spain) reminded young researchers about EFIS funding opportunities for travels and internships. Also prof. Maciej Kurpisz, president of the Polish Society for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, was pleased about the opportunities for cooperation and invited everyone to come to the immunology school in Poland next year.

Summer school organizer dr. Kai Kisand (University of Tartu), prof. Maciej Kurpisz (President of the Polish Society for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology), LSI President Prof. A. Žvirblienė (photo by Tamara Vorobjova).

Dr. Asta Lučiūnaitė presented her work at the session of young scientists. (Photo: D. Stravinskienė).

During the meeting dinner, the participants visited the Estonian open-air museum, which presents the country's rural architecture and lifestyle. This conference brought together scientists from the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, helped young scientists discover new connections, and encouraged international cooperation. LSI members are invited to participate in future regional immunology schools and conferences, where they can improve their knowledge about basic and clinical autoimmunology, exchange information on new trends in autoimmunity diagnostics, and to cooperate in autoimmunity-related research.

2023-06-19

The visit of the Honorary member of LSI, professor H. H. Peter in Lithuania

On June 13th, 2023, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS) together with the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) organized the scientific conference „Current achievements in immunology“ with the participation of the Honorary member of LSI and foreign member of the LAS, former President of German Society for Immunology, professor Hans Hartmut Peter who presented the lecture on IgG4-related diseases. Other presentations were given by VU professor Laura Malinauskienė and doctor Goda Filipavičienė from the University of Health Sciences. After the conference, there was an informal discussion with prof. H. H. Peter. The participants of the discussion reminded that prof. H. H. Peter was the main organizer of the international Summer Schools of Immunology that significantly contributed to the development of immunology research in Lithuania in the first years after restoring its independence (1992-2005). Former president of the LSI prof. V. A. Tamošiūnas presented his autobiographic book and the book of a famous Vilnius University professor of XIX century J. Sniadecki „Theory of organic beings“. Former LSI member prof. S. Gendvilis also shared his memories, as he has a long-year personal relation with H. H. Peter and contributed to organizing his current visit.

Prof. H. H. Peter and his wife spent over a week in Lithuania - they visited not only Vilnius, but also Nida. Prof. H.H Peter noticed significant changes in Lithuania during the last 20 years. He not only reminded the joint events organized by German and Baltic Societies for Immunology, but also was interested in current international activities of the LSI. He encouraged the participation of LSI members in EFIS activities and LSI efforts to establish closer collaborations with Estonian, Latvian, Polish and German immunologists.
Photos from the conference organized by LAS and LSI are here

2023-05-18

Immunologists from all over the world discussed in Vilnius at the CITIM-2023 conference

On April 24-27 2023, the 7th International Conference "Cancer immunotherapy and immunomonitoring (CITIM-2023 Vilnius)" took place in Vilnius. The conference was jointly organized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI). The achievements in cancer immunology and the possibilities of applying new technologies in the clinic were shared by prominent immunology authorities from Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Richmond (USA), Santiago (Chile), Heidelberg, Essen, Mannheim, Tübingen (Germany), London (UK), Prague (Czech Republic), Milan (Italy), participants from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer-Sheva (Israel), Stockholm (Sweden), the delegation from Kyiv and Rivne (Ukraine).
"Every two years, the CITIM conference is held in a different European country. We took over the organizers' baton from Goergia. We feel the responsibility, but at the same time we also appreciate the work of Lithuanian immunologists, because CITIM raises its flags in countries having a potential for cancer immunology research, - said the head of the National Organizing Committee, prof. Vita Pašukonienė. - Due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the preparation for the CITIM-Vilnius conference took even four years - twice as much time as usual. In this period, many undiscussed topics and unshared results accumulated, so it was a difficult task to rearrange the program, to invite guest lecturers and sponsors to this traditional European event, which brings together specialists from all over the world".

The conference was warmly welcomed by dr. Karolis Ažukaitis, the Vice-Dean for Science and Innovations of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University. The elected member of the Vilnius Council Aurimas Navys (picture on the right) compared cancer with an occupier, and the immunotherapy technologies presented by the conference participants - to the latest warfare technologies.
At the CITIM-2023 Vilnius conference, 150 participants discussed for 4 days, giving 46 oral presentations and 34 poster presentations, from which 8 best presentations of young researchers were selected. Among them, the presentation of Emilija Paberalė, a PhD student of the Laboratory of Immunology at NCI, was awarded.
Lithuania was represented by 5 oral presentations, four of which were from the NCI. Dr. Jan Krasko, Dr. Agata Mlynska, Dr. Marius Strioga presented the results of their research. The first results of the joint Lithuanian-Ukrainian project were presented by Dr. Olga Karaman, a researcher from Kyiv who transferred her research to NCI due to the war in Ukraine. Poster presentations were presented by the Laboratories of Molecular Oncology and Immunology of NCI.

Emilija Paberalė, a PhD student of the Laboratory of Immunology at NCI

Dr. Agata Mlynska, the Laboratory of Immunology at NCI

The participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the conference also had a strong ideological meaning. Through the combined efforts of the International and National Organizing Committees, all participation costs of the Ukrainian delegation were fully reimbursed. Moreover, in solidarity with a country defending its independence, it was decided that the next CITIM meeting should be held in Lviv, Ukraine, in two years. "I wish this angel created by Lithuanian folk artists will protect your country. It is difficult to expect that he will help to organize the CITIM conference, but this will be a guarantee that we all will join our efforts to do THAT" - Prof. V. Pašukonienė said at the end of the conference, presenting a wooden stylized angel created by Lithuanian folk artists to the head of the Ukrainian delegation dr. For Rostyslav Bilyy.

From the left: Vice-Chairman of the International Organizing Committee Viktor Umansky, PhD (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg), Chairman of the International Organizing Committee Michael R. Shurin, MD, PhD (University of Pittsburgh, USA), Chairwoman of the Lithuanian National Committee Vita Pašukonienė, PhD (National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania), Chairman of the Ukrainian National Organizing Committee Rostyslav Billy, PhD (Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv), member of the international organizing committee Andy Hurwitz, PhD (Biotechnology company "Repertoire Immune Medicines" , Cambridge, USA).

The conference was an important international event having an impact for the development of cancer immunology research in Lithuania. The participants had a possibility to discover the wonderful Vilnius and the ongoing research at NCI, that is in line with global trends. The National Organizing Committee, led by Prof. V. Pašukoniene, earned the warmest compliments and thanks from the conference guests. Many scientific contacts were made, and new technologies for the development of anticancer immunotherapy products were discussed, that might be implemented and applied for cancer treatment in the nearest future.

Pictures from the CITIM-2023 conference in the gallery.

New LSI president, LSI vice-president and LSI board members started their 5-year term on the 4th of January, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

"EFIS on Tour" Symposium

“EFIS on Tour” Symposium will be held on May 17, 2024 in the Conference hall of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (Gedimino av. 3, Vilnius).

The Program of the Symposium:

Other international upcoming events

Immunology School "50 Shades of Immunology" in Bialystok, Poland, May 18-21, 2024: https://www.immunoschool.ptidik.com/

EuroMAbNet meeting in Montpellier, France, June 17-19, 2024: https://www.euromabnet.com/meeting/13th-meeting-montpellier.php

European Congress of Immunology (ECI 2024) in Dublin, Ireland, September 1-4, 2024: https://eci2024.org/