For the past decade, the “European Biotech Week” has been held every autumn. Almost all European countries prepare events (conferences, seminars, excursions, etc.) during that week to promote biotechnology science and industry. In 2021 September 27 – October 3, Lithuania submitted 6 events to commemorate the week that took place. One of them was called ” 50 years for the Lithuanian biotechnology sector”. You can watch the video of the event here. It was the latest conference dedicated to the history of the development of biotechnology at the Life Sciences Center of VU, where production veterans Edmundas Ralys, Ona Šimkutė and Vita Kulienė, who participated in the launch of the Vilnius enzyme factory in 1971, spoke here.
While preparing for the conference, the organizers drew attention to the document found in Prof. Antanas Glemža archives is 100 pages of text, without title page and contents. Upon closer inspection, he decided that it was the lecture notes of the “Enzymology” course given by the professor, apparently prepared for the press, but left unfinished due to the deterioration of his health. You can get acquainted with the synopsis here. The text is not corrected, only the title page and contents have been added.
The beginning of the development of modern biotechnology in the world is associated with the industrial production of enzymes. This is a very important area for Lithuania, currently probably the fastest growing part of our economy. Noting prof. Antanas Glemža role in it‘s emergence and development, we present here the highest mentioned lecture synopsis. In addition, you can briefly read about the prof. Antanas Glemža life and activities here. Most young Lithuanians, even those working in biotechnology or related fields, know little about him.