Prof Ieva Plikusienė discusses the critical importance of biosensor systems in the modern healthcare space.

For Ieva Plikusienė, an associate professor and senior researcher for the School of Chemistry and Geosciences at Vilnius University and a Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Basic Science Programme at UNESCO, a love for STEM is in her blood. 

Plikusienė told SiliconRepublic.com, “For me, it truly goes back to my childhood. I grew up with a deep fascination for physics, mainly because my father, a professor of physics, showed me just how captivating and beautiful the field could be. He had a gift for making complex ideas incredibly interesting, which sparked a lifelong curiosity in me to understand how the world works at its most fundamental level.”

Initially, during her education, Plikusienė focused on astrophysics, however, around this time she also discovered the world of nanomaterials and the specific physics-based methods that are created to explore their properties. Soon, her foundational love for physics began to intersect with a “desire to solve real-world problems”.

She said, “I became interested in how we could apply such methods for investigation of biological objects. The turning point was realising that by bridging these two fields, my knowledge in physics with other knowledge in chemistry and biology, could help to have a unique view on nano world objects.

“Seeing the potential for these physical methods to create highly sensitive biosensors that could revolutionise early disease diagnostics or pandemic responses, that is exactly what captured my mind and solidified my commitment to this career.”

Early warning signs

To best explain the purpose and methods of her work Plikusienė said to imagine that you are trying to locate a single, specific key that is afloat in a vast, crowded body of water. Now imagine instead that you are trying to locate something that is malfunctioning or wrong within the human body. 

She said, “When someone gets sick whether it’s a virus or an early sign of a disease like cancer, their body produces specific chemical warning flags called biomarkers. My work focuses on building advanced biosensing systems, based on light and acoustic waves designed to detect these tiny warning flags instantly. Specifically, I work on a type called immunosensors.”

Plikusienė and her team coat the surface of a miniscule sensor chip with antibodies, the bodies natural defenders that are perfectly shaped to latch onto only one specific target biomarker. Then, when a small liquid sample is dropped on to the chip, if a particular disease biomarker is present, it will attach on to the antibody and can be monitored.  

Using crystals that vibrate at specific frequencies, once a biomarker binds itself to the antibody the sensor will get slightly heavier, slowing the vibrations and allowing the researcher to register the exact weight change. Furthermore, by enabling light to reflect from the surface, if a biomarker attaches to the antibody, it can alter how the light reflects back, enabling the researcher to measure it with extreme accuracy.  

She explained, “By combining the nature of biomarkers and antibody binding with these ultra-precise tools of physics, we can see exactly when and how these molecules bind together in real-time, without changing or damaging them. This can help to select the best candidates for drug design and detect important cancer, viral or bacterial biomarkers.”

Generational infrastructure

This is for Plikusienė a particularly exciting field to be a part of as she has found herself responsible for advancing the biosensor technologies that are crucial for next-generation diagnostics.

With that in mind, much of her day-to-day work focuses on improving the sensitivity, reliability and applicability of biosensing platforms and achieving higher accuracy than can typically be achieved with traditional models.  

She said, “I believe that scientific breakthroughs achieve their greatest value when they are translated into innovations that benefit society. From a career perspective, I am increasingly interested in scientific leadership and in helping to build research ecosystems that foster interdisciplinary collaboration.”

As she keeps one eye on the future, she also ensures that she is developing the next-generation of minds to work on the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges, not just the technologies and research that form the foundation of the sector.  

She said, “Beyond publishing scientific results, I see great value in mentoring young researchers, contributing to science policy discussions and helping ensure that emerging technologies are developed responsibly and sustainably. For me, the most meaningful work is not only advancing my own research but also helping to create an environment where innovation and scientific talent can thrive.”

Plikusienė recently received the prestigious André Mischke Award from the Young Academy of Europe, which recognises outstanding contributions to science and scientific policy, an honour which she stated was “a deeply meaningful moment” in her career. 

She said, “What makes this award especially meaningful is that it acknowledges not only individual achievements but also the collective efforts of the talented students, researchers, collaborators and institutions I have had the privilege to work with. Scientific progress is rarely the result of one person alone, it is built through teamwork, shared curiosity, and a commitment to solving challenging problems. 

“On a personal level, the award is both encouraging and motivating. It serves as a reminder that perseverance, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new ideas can lead to meaningful outcomes. At the same time, I see it not as a culmination, but as an incentive to continue pushing the boundaries of research, supporting the next generation of scientists and contributing to innovations that can benefit society.”

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