On 25 November, the Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research of the Nature Research Centre accepted employees of UAB GVT LT (Director Spartakas Petrovas). The head of the laboratory, Dr. Algimantas Paškevičius, shared the newest achievements of laboratory researchers and pointed out that because of a great variety of synthesized metabolites microorganisms are distributed in different ecosystems, play a significant role in metabolism, produce biologically active substances, and are able to deteriorate both natural organic waste and synthetic substances and different pollutants. Laboratory researchers closely collaborate with UAB GVT LT employees in creating biopreparations for biological deterioration of petroleum hydrocarbons. The most efficient diesel-oxidizing microorganisms were selected and tested under laboratory conditions, whereupon tested in UAB GVT LT manufacturing premises (Kiškėnų village, Dovilų sub-municipality, Klaipėda district) with a successful outcome. Further research and business collaboration guidelines were discussed. The guests visited the Museum of Minerals.

 

At the invitation of Prof. Katarzyna Zając, Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Polish AS) (https://www.iop.krakow.pl), Nature Research Centre’s parasitologists Dr. Virmantas Stunžėnas, Dr. Romualda Petkevičiūtė and Dr. Gražina Stanevičiūtė, senior researchers of P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, visited Krakow according to a short study visit programme of the Polish AS. The purpose of the visit was to share Lithuanian parasitologists’ knowledge about bloodsuckers parasitizing in fish and molluscs and organise joint investigations. During a short but productive visit, Lithuanian parasitologists together with Jacek Dołęga, a PhD student from the Department of Ecosystem Conservation of the Institute of Nature Conservation participated in ichthyological field investigations at Zesławice water reservoir. Also, at the Mydlniki Fisheries Experimental Station of the Agricultural University, Lithuanian parasitologists provided training on parasitological research methods to Jacek Dołęga and conducted parasitological investigations of collected fish. At the Department of Biodiversity of the Institute of Nature Conservation, researchers continued investigation of collected material and discussed collaboration possibilities with Dr. habil. Katarzyna Zając  and Jacek Dołęga.