Research interests
Experience in working with genetic structures of microorganisms (DNA) using genetic engineering and molecular biology methods. Identification of Sarcocystis parasites by molecular methods in the natural environment. Investigations of molecular mechanisms of yeast common in the natural environment using modern genetic methods.
Identification of microorganisms using genetic methods and application of genetic engineering technologies in research. Experience in working with environmental samples: isolation and identification of yeast from berries and fruits, isolation, and identification of parasites of the genus Sarcocystis from environmental and carcass samples. Professional skills: DNA allocation, DNA amplification and sequence analysis. Analysis of the obtained data using computer programs MS Office, Chrome Lite. Skills in working with online databases “EBI”, “NCBI”, “GeneBank”.
Annotation of the doctoral dissertation
The aim of the doctoral studies is to develop and optimize the methodology of unicellular protozoan extraction from environmental samples and to evaluate by molecular methods which protozoan species are common in the Lithuanian environment.
The basic objectives:
• To select and optimize the methodology of isolation of oocysts and gDNA from natural environment samples;
• Selection and optimization of an appropriate PCR method to amplify specific DNA fragments at low gDNA concentrations;
• To identify unicellular protozoan species in the natural environment of Lithuania using the optimized molecular diagnostic methodology.
• To compare the pollution of different habitats (water, soil, forage) with protozoa and to determine which habitat contains the most pathogenic species.
There are currently about 15,000 species of parasitic protozoa known in the world. The most studied parasitic protozoans transmitted through water and causing human, or animal infections are Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli, Acanthamoeba spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Naegleria spp. However, to date there are no suitable methods for accurate identification of various parasitic protozoa in environmental samples. Therefore, during various studies usually only the prevalence of most common spiecies is being tested. The aim of the doctoral studies is to develop and optimize the methodology of unicellular protozoan extraction from environmental samples and to evaluate by molecular methods which protozoan species are common in the environment of Lithuania and other Baltic states.
During doctoral research, water and sediment samples will be collected from water bodies, and soil, grass and water samples will be collected from herbivore pastures. Sample analysis will be performed by molecular methods such as DNA isolation, selection of genetic markers and development of primers, PCR amplification of specific fragments, purification of PCR products, and sequencing.
International scientific conferences:
- Prakas, P., Butkauskas, D., Servienė, E., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Gudiškis, N., Baranauskaitė, A., Marandykina-Prakienė, A., Rudaitytė-Lukošienė, E., Juozaitytė-Ngugu, E. 2022. Investigation of Sarcocystis found in sheep and horses from Lithuania. 6th International Meeting on Apicomplexan Parasites in Farm Animals, October 5–7, Bern, Switzerland. Book of Abstracts: 73. http://www.apicowplexa.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ApicoWplexa2022_abstractbook.pdf
- Baranauskaitė, A. 2022. Prevalence and diversity of Sarcocystis infections in bovine animals in Lithuania. The international conference „Mikrobiologija 2022“, April 28–29, Birštonas, Lithuania. Book of Abstracts: 25. http://www.mikrobiologija.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Santrauku-knyga-VP.pdf
- Baranauskaitė, A., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Petrauskas, M., Paliovkinas, D., Prakas, P., Servienė, E. 2022. Optimization of molecular identification of Sarcocystis parasites infecting domestic animals. The international conference „Mikrobiologija 2022“, April 28–29, Birštonas, Lithuania. Book of Abstracts: 50. http://www.mikrobiologija.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Santrauku-knyga-VP.pdf
- Baranauskaitė, A., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Prakas, P., Servienė, E. 2022. Prevalence of domestic animals infecting Sarcocystis parasites in samples from different types of water in Lithuania. The International conference Coins 2022, February 28 – March 3, Vilnius, Lithuania. Book of Abstracts, I2. https://thecoins.eu/static/resources/booksofabstracts/COINS2022.pdf
- Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Baranauskaitė, A., Rudaitytė-Lukošienė, E., Servienė, E., Butkauskas, D., Dobrovolskis, L, Šikšniūtė, E., Prakas P. 2021. Microorganisms diversity and prevalence in Baltic states aquatic ecosystems. World microbe forum online conference, June 20–24.
- Baranauskaitė, A., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Prakas, P., Servienė, E. 2021. Optimization of identification of domestic animals infecting Sarcocystis parasites found in water. 9th Conference of the Scandinavian – Baltic Society for Parasitology, April 21–23. Book of Abstracts: 69.
- Baranauskaitė, A., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Prakas, P., Servienė, E. 2021. Prevalence of Sarcocystis parasites infecting farmed animals in water samples from Lithuania. The Coins 2021 Conference, March 30, Vilnius, Lithuania. Book of Abstracts: 67. https://thecoins.eu/static/resources/booksofabstracts/COINS2021.pdf
- Baranauskaitė, A., Prakas, P., Servienė, E., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž. 2021. Molecular identification of Sarcocystis species and their prevalence in environmental samples. The Coins 2021 Conference, March 30, Vilnius, Lithuania. Book of Abstracts: 69. https://thecoins.eu/static/resources/booksofabstracts/COINS2021.pdf
- Prakas, P., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Januškevičius, V., Chiesa, F., Baranauskaitė, A., Rudaitytė-Lukošienė, E., Servienė, E., Petkevičius, S., Butkauskas, D. 2019. Molecular identification of Sarcocystis hominis and other three Sarcocystis species in cattle meat from Lithuania. 5th International Meeting on Apicomplexan Parasites in Farm Animals, September 2–4, Berlin, Germany.
- Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž., Baranauskaitė, A., Rudaitytė-Lukošienė, E., Januškevičius, V., Servienė, E., Butkauskas, D., Dobrovolskis, L., Prakas P. 2019. Optimization of molecular identification of Sarcocystis species from cattle meat. FEBS3+ conference, June 17–19, Riga, Latvia.
National scientific conferences:
- Baranauskaitė, A., Strazdaitė-Žielienė, Ž. 2021. Sarcocystis parazitų paieška gamtinėse ekosistemose ir jų identifikavimas molekuliniais metodais. Student scientific conference, May 11.