1. Augustas Pivoriūnas, M. D. , Ph. D
Augustas Pivoriūnas, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
Expertise in:
The research focus of the Department of Stem Cell Biology is primarily on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from different human adult tissues and their applications in basic research and cell-based therapies.
Scientists at the Department of Stem Cell Biology successfuly isolated and characterized several different lines of MSC-like cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth and other dental tissues (Stem Cells Dev. 2010; 19(7): ; J Mol Neurosci :307–317).
Other research topics include:
New technologies for isolation, cultivation, expansion and long-term storage of MSCs. (J Tissue Eng and Regen Med 2011; 5: ).
MSCs in the inflammatory microenvironment (inflammatory proteinases, antiproteinases, LPS, etc.). (Regen Med 2010; 5(4): ).
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human dental pulp stem cells. Neural Regenen Res Jun;11(6): ; Pharmacological Research (Pt B): ; Cytotherapy. 2015;17 (7): ; Inflammation. 2015; 38(5):
In vitro culture and differentiation of human dopaminergic neurons (ReNcell VM human neural progenitor cell line) and immortalized human microglial cells. Generation of stable reporter neuronal cell lines (Lonza Nucleofector, Invitrogen Neon), 3D cell culture on microcarriers in a bioreactor (BioLevitator, Hamilton). Live imaging of cells (Leica Sp8). In vivo imaging (Ivis Spectrum Perkin Elmer). Cell sorting (FACSaria III, BD; MACS).

2. Expected benefits and activities during participation in BIONECA:
Collaboration with groups studying chronic neuroinflammation accompanying neurodegenerative diseases.
Collaboration with groups who use in vivo models of Parkinson‘s and Alzheimer‘s diseases.
New imaging techniques for tracing of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) derived from human stem cells in CNS.
New routes for therapeutic delivery of extracellular vesicles (e.g. intranasal, intrathecal) into the CNS.
Collaboration with groups who use in vivo imaging of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g imaging of microglial activation with PET during Parkinson‘s disease, etc).
We are interested in a new ways/techniques of incorporation of extracellular vesicles into scaffolds for repair of cardiac tissue.
Foreseen maximum contribution: in WG4 (Stem cells, cardiology and neurology).
We would also like to participate in WG2 (Characterization and visualization of biomaterials and stem cells).