dr. Eglė Lastauskienė

1. Who We Are

👋 We are a multidisciplinary research team from the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University, combining expertise in molecular biotechnology, environmental microbiology, ecotoxicology, and enzyme engineering. Our work bridges the gap between environmental exposure and human health, with a growing focus on the biological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the human body — including their potential role in chronic inflammation, microbiome disruption, and cancer risk.

2. Our Competencies for the Proposed Project

💡 Key strengths we bring to the project:
– Detection and toxicological assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in biological matrices using microbial and invertebrate model systems
– Characterization of plastic-associated microbial communities and their health relevance (e.g., microbiome dysbiosis, pathogen reservoirs)
– Discovery and analysis of plastic-degrading enzymes and microbes that may influence biodegradation in human-relevant environments (e.g., gut)
– Molecular tools for monitoring immune, inflammatory, and genotoxic responses to plastic exposure
– Systems biotechnology and metagenomics for investigating host-microbe-environment interactions related to plastic toxicity

3. EU Project Experience (Optional)

📣 Our team has extensive experience in EU and national research programs, including Horizon 2020 and COST Actions, particularly in the fields of environmental biotechnology, pollution monitoring, and microbiome research. We are now shifting this expertise toward translational health applications.

4. What We Are Looking For

🔍 We are seeking to join a health-oriented research consortium as partners. We are especially interested in collaborations involving:
– Coordinators with expertise in human health, oncology, or exposome research
– Partners specializing in the detection of microplastics in human samples (blood, stool, urine, tissues)
– Teams focused on biomarker discovery, early detection of plastic-related pathologies, or immune/genotoxic response analysis
– Stakeholders engaged in public health policy, risk communication, or patient-centered innovation

5. Project Stage

📍 We are currently in the mid-stage of project development. We seek to join a consortium that integrates health, biomedical, and environmental science to address the human risks of microplastic exposure.

6. Contact and Collaboration Message

📧 The Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University is committed to addressing the health impacts of environmental contaminants. We are eager to collaborate with like-minded partners to advance scientific understanding and practical solutions for microplastic-related health risks, particularly their potential links to cancer and chronic disease. We welcome the opportunity to contribute as a scientifically and technically capable partner in your consortium.