Institute of Biotechnology

Department of Bioinformatics

In Bioinformatics Laboratory we mainly deal with protein sequences and their three-dimensional structures. There are two main directions of our research:

• Methods development. We aim at developing computational methods for detecting sequence homology, for modeling, analysis and evaluation of 3D structure of proteins and protein complexes. All of the software packages implementing these methods are freely available.

• Application of computational methods to biological problems. We use computational methods for discovering general patterns in biological data, structural/functional characterization of proteins and their complexes, design of novel proteins and mutants with desired properties. In these studies we tend to focus on proteins/protein complexes that function in DNA metabolism including DNA replication, recombination and repair. More recently, studies of structural and mechanistic properties of CRISPR-Cas systems and their evolutionary relationships have also become our important research focus. Our objective is to make inferences regarding structural and functional features, molecular mechanisms, interactions, etc. that can be tested experimentally. In this research area we often collaborate with experimentalists.

Interested in Ph.D. studies in this area of bioinformatics? Looking for postdoc opportunities? Please send a message together with CV to the head of the lab (ČV).

Sources of financial support for our previous and current research:

• Howard Hughes Medical Institute , International Research Scholars Program

• Research Council of Lithuania

• Ministry of Education, Science and Sports

• EU structural funds