The conversation with R. Ugenskiene really not only made me think, but also made me look through a crack in the curtain at what seems to me to be one of the most mysterious fields of science – genetics. Professor, when we are almost done talking, you smile: the deeper you go and the more you know, the more you start to seem like you know less.
The science of genetics, says R. Ugnenskienė, has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, but despite this, there are still some answers to the questions. Because one or the other gene is not studied.
– Professor, we meet at your place of work – Genetics and Molecular Medicine Clinic. What activities take place here? In other words, what do you do?
– We have a diverse staff and different activities. There is a clinical part and a laboratory part. The clinic employs geneticists who visit other outpatient diagnostic and inpatient departments and consult patients.
We consult both in the ambulatory diagnostic center and in the pediatric clinic, as well as in obstetrics and gynecology and other clinics. We go where the patients come.
The laboratory part has three subsections. One is for cytogenetics, where specialists analyze chromosomes, grow cells, prepare preparations, sit at the microscope and see if the number and structure of chromosomes match.
The second part is medical geneticists and medical biologists who look for genetic diseases and look for changes in the structure of a gene or group of genes. They analyze blood samples, perform genetic tests, interpret the results and write the answers for us.
The third part is biochemists. They study various protein substances and determine metabolic diseases, drug concentrations, study hormones, and this allows doctors to diagnose diseases, dose drugs to achieve a therapeutic effect on the patient.
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#Professor #Ugenskienė #heredity #oncological #diseases #determined #genes #dont #delve #genetics #unnecessarily
**Interview with Professor R. Ugnenskienė on the Evolving Field of Genetics**
**Editor:** Professor Ugnenskienė, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today at the Genetics and Molecular Medicine Clinic. To start off, could you give our readers an overview of what activities take place here?
**Professor Ugnenskienė:** Thank you for having me. At our clinic, we have a diverse team that focuses on both clinical and laboratory activities. Our geneticists engage with patients to provide consultations and support for various genetic conditions. Meanwhile, our lab team conducts crucial research to advance our understanding of genetics and develop new diagnostic tools.
**Editor:** That sounds fascinating! You mentioned there are still many questions left unanswered in genetics despite recent advances. Can you elaborate on what some of these unanswered questions are?
**Professor Ugnenskienė:** Certainly. While we’ve made incredible strides—like deciphering human DNA and identifying many key genes—there are still numerous genes that remain poorly understood. For instance, the functions of certain regulatory genes and their impacts on traits and diseases are still mysterious. Every discovery often leads to new questions, underscoring the complexity of genetics.
**Editor:** It seems that the deeper one explores genetics, the more intricate it becomes. How do you see the future of this field evolving in the coming years?
**Professor Ugnenskienė:** That’s an exciting question. I believe we will see an explosion of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to individuals based on their genetic profiles. Advances in AI and genomics together may provide deeper insights into genetic disorders, paving the way for innovative therapies. However, the complexity of the human genome means some challenges will persist, and continuous research will be vital.
**Editor:** That continuous research certainly seems essential. Lastly, what advice would you give to young scientists who aspire to enter this field?
**Professor Ugnenskienė:** Embrace curiosity! The field of genetics is ever-evolving, and the more you learn, the more you’ll uncover how much there is yet to know. Collaborate across disciplines and stay open to new ideas. Science is a continuous journey of discovery, and each step teaches you something new.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Professor Ugnenskienė. It sounds like the future of genetics holds both challenges and exciting opportunities.
**Professor Ugnenskienė:** Thank you! It certainly does, and I look forward to seeing what the next generations of researchers will achieve.
