Secondment Programme
Martins Kaukulis spent two months at theUniversity of Helsinki
From February 04 to March 29, 2024, MSc student Martins Kaukulis undertook a 2-month secondment at the University of Helsinki, in the laboratory of Professor Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma (Faculty of Pharmacy). Under the guidance of Adjunct Professor Paula Kiuru, Martins acquired new skills in the experimental methods for designing and synthesizing natural products and antisense PNAs. During his time there, Martins successfully synthesized a new series of Ostruhin synthetic analogues, investigating their potential as antibacterial agents.
Team of LIOS visited the University of Antwerp
From February 25 to March 1 2024 Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, Dr. Aiva Plotniece and Dr. Arkadijs Sobolevs visited the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Antwerp. During the visit they discussed with prof. Paul Cos and Dr. Linda De Vooght general topic of biofilms as well as newest strategies to fight pathogenic bacteria. Discussions on the science management topic were also held LIOS team met PhD students from prof. Paul Cos group – Nele, Laura and Milan who gave short presentations concerning their research topics. They also discussed science management issues with research manager Maya Berg. The main attention of this visit was related to organization of a final SPRINGBOARD conference and possibilities for development of collaboration in the next projects.
Collaborative Exploration at the University of Helsinki
From December 11 to 15, 2023 Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis and Dr. Arkadijs Sobolevs visited the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki. Throughout their week-long stay, they deepened their understanding of biologically active natural products, specifically in the context of antibacterial development and the acquisition of synthetic derivatives mimicking these natural compounds. The visit also included insightful discussions with Prof. Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma, Prof. Päivi Tammela, and Prof. Paula Kiuru, covering various aspects of science management.
Aleksandrs Pustenko Research Secondment at the University of Florence
Postdoctoral fellow Aleksandrs Pustenko recently completed a secondment at the University of Florence, working in the Department of Pharmacy under supervision of Prof. Claudiu Supuran from October to December 2023. During this period, he mastered the stopped-flow technique for testing carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, conducted independent sample preparation and activity testing on both bacterial and human carbonic anhydrases, and gained valuable experience in science management to augment his expertise.
Research Continuity at the University of Antwerp
Anda Sīpola recently returned to the University of Antwerp, dedicating an additional two months (October to November, 2023) to advance her research initiated during her previous secondment in March-April 2022. Following her return, Anda synthesized new targeted molecules to further develop her work. During this secondment Anda accomplished antimicrobial screening of 34 synthesized compounds against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, A. fumigatus, and C. albicans. In collaboration with experienced colleagues Anda performed S. aureus biofilm-growth testing and bactericidal kinetics experiments as well.
Marija Skvorcova spent two months at the University of Helsinki
From May to June, 2023 postdoctoral fellow Marija Skvorcova was in Helsinki to carry out a 2-month secondment in Professor Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma lab (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki). Under the supervision of Adjunct Professor, Paula Kiuru, Marija gained new knowledge and acquired experience in experimental methods for the design and synthesis of antisense PNAs. As part of the ongoing efforts, a set of Ostruhin synthetic analogues has been synthesized as potential antibacterial drug candidates. In addition, Marija obtained an experience in the science management to further enhance her expertise and capabilities in the field.
Raivis Žalubovskis visited the University of Florence
Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis visited the University of Florence for one week (June 29 to July 06, 2022) to meet prof. Claudiu Supuran and prof. Fabrizio Carta and discuss topics on advanced methods of structure-based drug design, metalloenzymes as drug targets and principles of identification of new drug targets. They also had fruitful discussions regarding science management issues.
Renate Melngaile spent two months at the University of Copenhagen
Renate Melngaile spent two months (May - June, 2022) in associate professor Henrik Franzyk laboratory at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. During her secondment under the supervision of a postdoctoral researcher, Nicki Frederiksen, Renate acquired a new knowledge and skills in automated solid-phase peptide synthesis. She synthesized a set of compounds for determining the effect of alternatives to Lys/Arg residues regarding antimicrobial activity.
Elina Lidumniece at the University of Copenhagen
Elina Lidumniece spent six weeks (March - April 2022) in associate professor Henrik Franzyk laboratory at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. During her secondment under the supervision of a postdoctoral researcher, Nicki Frederiksen, Elina trained the solid-phase and automated microwave peptide synthesis in order to get different α-peptide/β-peptoid hybrid oligomers with antimicrobial activity.
Martiņš Ruciņš spent two months at the University of Helsinki
From March to April, 2022 Mārtiņš Ruciņš was in Helsinki to carry out a 2-month secondment in professor Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma's laboratory (University of Helsinki). During this period he performed synthesis of natural products containing coumarin scaffold under the supervision of adjunct professor Paula Kiuru. He also gained new skills in science management.
Anda Sīpola gained new skills in the University of Antwerp
Anda Sīpola spent two months (March - April 2022) at the University of Antwerp to gain new skills and experience working in the field of biofilms for the development of new antibacterial drugs. During her stay, she also performed a screening of test compounds and measured their antibacterial activity on S. aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli (Gram-negative).
Rudolfs Barons spent two months at the University of Florence
Rudolfs Barons was in the University of Florence to carry out his 2-month secondment program (February-March, 2022). During this time he gained new skills on advanced methods for the design and synthesis of selective inhibitors for bacterial Zn-depending enzymes. Rudolfs had a great opportunity to learn from the University of Florence's experts in this area.
Anastasija Balasova at the University of Florence
In November, 2022, Anastasija Balasova was in Italy to carry out a 1-month secondment at the University of Florence. She was gaining new skills in designing new inhibitors and screening compounds for inhibition of carbonic anhydrase enzyme. Using the stopped-flow technique, Anastasija determined the kinetic parameters of potential inhibitors.
Raivis Žalubovskis visited the University of Copenhagen
Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis visited the University of Copenhagen for one week (November 11 to 17, 2021). He was improving his understanding of antibacterial biopharmaceuticals. There were fruitful discussions with Henrik Franzyk and prof. Fredrik Björkling regarding science management issues as well.
