VU Faculty of Medicine / MF archive
On 6 February, the Commission for Lithuanian Science Prizes announced the winners of 2023 at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Of the seven prizes, two were awarded to the scientists of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU MF).
In the field of medical and health sciences, Prof. Laura Malinauskienė and Prof. Rūta Dubakienė from VU MF were awarded for the series of papers Allergy to Food and Chemicals: from Neonatal Cohorts to Epidemiological, Experimental and Molecular Studies.
This series of research papers focuses on food and chemical allergies, and examines their causes and preconditions for their development from infancy to adulthood. A Lithuanian birth cohort was formed to study the allergic sensitization within the EU’s Framework Programme 6 food allergy project EuroPrevall. The original data showed that the prevalence of food allergy is up to 17% in infants and 5.6% in children in Lithuania. The study demonstrated that children in Lithuania were most often sensitised to milk and eggs, and less often to wheat, peanuts and soya. Environmental, nutritional and other causes of food allergy, risk factors of food allergy, and diagnostic and immunological methods used to assess food sensitisation were studied in detail. Epidemiological studies of food allergy in children and adults in the EuroPrevall project involved 67 partners from 24 countries and put Lithuania on the epidemiological map of food allergy research. Lithuania represented the Eastern European region, with its specific cultural and social aspects influencing dietary habits and the food allergy epidemiology, while also providing for international comparisons. Molecular studies have shown that allergies to imported foods such as peanuts, soya, kiwifruit, peaches, etc. are increasing rapidly.
In the field of medical and health sciences, Science Prizes were also awarded to scientists of VU MF, Prof. Kęstutis Ručinskis, Assoc. Prof. Vilius Janušauskas, Prof. Robertas Stasys Samalavičius and Prof. Pranas Šerpytis for the series of papers The Introduction of Mechanical Circulatory Life Support Systems into Clinical Practice and the Improvements in Methodology.
This research series, carried out between 2008 and 2022, focuses on the treatment of the most severe heart failure patients using the most advanced short-term mechanical (intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or long-term mechanical circulatory support (artificial ventricles) devices. The papers examine the relevant science and practice problem, the research results of which stimulated further development of the scientific field, contributed to the introduction of the latest technologies, development of new methodologies, and development of international cooperation in Lithuania.
Congratulations!