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PARTNER PROFILE FORM
Date:
Deadline:
Call
identifier:
21.03.2007
CONTACT INFORMATION
Organisation Name Vilnius University
Type of
Research institute
organization
SME*
Industry
Contact person Sonata Jarmalaite
University
Other
Telephone
370 5 2398259
Address
Faculty of Natural Sci, Dept Botany &
Genetics
Ciurlionio 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania
Fax
370 5 2398204
Web site
www.vu.lt
E-mail
Sonata.Jarmalaite@gf
.vu.lt
Department
* Your enterprise is an SME if:
-it has less than 250 employees
-it has either an annual turnover not exceeding €50M, or an annual balance sheet total not over €43M
-it is less than 25% owned by a non SME (unless these are financial investors, such as banks or venture
capitalists
EXPERTISE OFFERED
Keywords specifying the
expertise
Description of the expertise
Cancer genetics; cancer epigenetics; breast cancer; arthritis;
molecular markers; circulating tumour DNA; genetic and epigenetic
changes
Our group has a long-standing expertise in the analysis of
molecular and genetic mechanisms of human pathologies,
including cancer and arthritis
Cancer research. Our group is involved in studies on epigenetic and
genetic biomarkers of cancer, for prognosis of disease outcome and
identification of new targets for the treatment. Genetic and epigenetic
changes in human cancer, including bladder, lung and gliomas have
been studied. Currently, the study on molecular biomarkers of breast
cancer for improved prognosis in early disease is initiated.
Arthritis research. Our group has participated in the studies of
molecular mechanisms of immune response in reactive and
rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, the study of epigenetic changes in
synovial tissues is initiated.
Specific interests. We seek a partnership for collaborative research
on molecular (epigenetic and genetic) biomarkers of breast cancer for
early and non-invasive detection and prognosis of progression.
Also, wee look for the partners for the analysis of molecular (genetic)
changes in pathogenesis of arthritic diseases.
Infrastructure. We have a wide range of techniques established in
our labs including FISH and Comet analysis, chromosome aberration
and micronucleus tests, DNA mutation analysis, DNA
hypermethylation assay, gene expression analysis by TaqMan assay.
The infrastructure for genetic research includes modern facility for
Main researchers and expertise
(name, surname, academic
degree)
tissue/cell culture, and molecular/cellular genetics are available in our
labs.
Sonata Jarmalaite, PhD
Juozas R Lazutka, Prof.
Relevant publications:
 Norppa H…Lazutka JR et al. Chromosomal aberrations and SCEs as
biomarkers of cancer risk. Mutat Res. 2006 Aug 30; 600(1-2):37-45. Epub
2006 Jul 11. Review.

Boffetta P…Lazutka JR. et al., Chromosomal aberrations and cancer risk:
results of a cohort study from Central Europe.Am J Epidemiol. 2007 Jan
1;165(1):36-43.

Jarmalaite S., Kannio A., Anttila S., Lazutka J.R. and HusgafvelPursiainen K. Aberrant p16 promoter methylation in smokers and former
smokers with non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Cancer, 2003, 106, 6: 913-18.

Wikman H, Nymark P, Väyrynen A, Jarmalaite S, Kallioniemi A,
Salmenkivi K, Vainio-Siukola K, Husgafvel-Pursiainen K, Knuutila S, Wolf M,
Anttila S. CDK4 is a probable target gene in a novel amplicon on 12q13.3q14.1 in lung cancer. Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, 2005, 42:193-199.
 Butrimiene I., Jarmalaite S., Ranceva J., Venalis A., Jasiuleviciute L. and
Zvirbliene A. Different cytokine profiles in patients with chronic and acute
reactive arthritis. Rheumatology , 2004, 43(10):1300-4.
Experience in international
cooperation and partnership
(SMEs, universities, research
institutes)
International projects
(last 5 years - Title of project,
source of funds, duration)
Please, indicate if you were/are
coordinator, partner or
subcontractor
EXPECTATIONS
Target consortium
Please, indicate the topic
title from the work
programme
ENLINO Master Programme – Network in Environmental Sciences,
funded by Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher
Education (SIU), 2003-2005, coordinator
Long standing collaboration with Finnish Institute of Occupational
Health
 Cytogenetic Biomarkers and Human Cancer Risk, FP project No.
QLK4-CT-2000-00628, 2002-2004, partner
HEALTH-2007-1.2-6 High throughput molecular diagnostics in individual
patients for genetic diseases with heterogenous clinical presentation.
HEALTH-2007-2.1.2-5 Multidisciplinary fundamental genomics and molecular
biology approaches to study basic biological processes relevant to health and
disease
HEALTH-2007-2.4.1-10 Role of inflammation in tumour initiation and
progression
HEALTH-2007-2.4.5-12 Early processes in the pathogenesis of chronic
inflammatory diseases