Models to Assess the Efficacy of Pharmacological Substances for Various Diseases Studies

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editor

Aušra Liubavičiūtė

State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Department of Stem Cell Biology

Dr. Aušra Liubavičiūtė received her PhD in Lithuania in the field of Biology and currently, she is a junior researcher at State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine in Vilnius, Lithuania, where she focuses on manipulation of the stem cells and their migration and regeneration features at inflammation site in various mouse models in vivo. She has years of experience in working with laboratory animals and has a license to work with them. She also has a keen interest in preclinical and clinical research and a high level of scientific knowledge in investigating the effects of different substances. Dr. Liubavičiūtė has prepared various inflammatory models in mice (acute inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, full-thickness skin wound, models) and has worked with multiple companies where she performed research on the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of the substances that companies have provided to her. Additionally, she belongs to three scientific associations. She has mastered modern cell investigation methods such as MACS, FACS, ELISE, primary cell culture isolation, and optical visualization techniques. Overall, Dr. Liubavičiūtė is a highly intelligent, motivated, and enthusiastic young researcher and has good administrative, organizational, managerial and analytical skills. These skills allow her to analyze problems, plan solutions, lead experiments, and publish the results of her work. She is a supervisor for students and occasionally lectures and conducts laboratory work. In her opinion, a true professional has to be passionate, curious and inquisitive.

Collection Overview

Previous medical mistakes in the last century were due to a lack of drug research. Given these negative impacts, long and in-depth research has become an integral component of drug testing. Without preclinical research, the emergence of new and effective drugs to help cure patients and extend their life expectancy is impossible. Preclinical studies on drugs, active substances, or pharmaceuticals are conducted on experimental animal models in vivo. In vivo models are a key component of drug discovery. They have been utilized in previous studies to explore the underlying mechanisms of many diseases and to investigate the efficacy of potential drugs before starting clinical studies in humans. The goal of this Methods Collection is (1) to provide detailed state-of-the-art protocols and procedures that are used to evaluate therapeutic or toxic effects of various compounds and (2) to introduce novel approaches that have the potential to translate into field applications. Ultimately, we believe that such in-depth sharing of knowledge will improve the efficacy of research outcomes and support a more efficient process.