The Population Biobank is like a library of Lithuanian citizens' health data, helping scientists better understand how diseases develop, what causes them, and how they can be treated. Contributing to this initiative is simple – you just need to consent to having anonymized health information used for research and donate a small 50 ml blood sample.
The Lithuanian Population and Rare Diseases Biobank, established by Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine (VU MF), is also supported by famous public figures. A well-known Lithuanian couple became Biobank participants – musical artist Justinas Jarutis and his fiancée, VU MF general surgery resident Urtė Andriuškevičiūtė.
The health histories of Lithuanian residents are like many puzzle pieces that the Biobank aims to combine into one picture. Doctors, working with patients, see specific cases, while the Biobank database allows creating a health map of Lithuanian residents – which diseases are most common, when they begin, and what can cause them. For example, more and more people in Lithuania, including children, suffer from cardiovascular diseases. With a large Biobank database, researchers can see that people of a certain age with specific health indicators and lifestyle habits are more likely to have a heart attack. Such discoveries allow earlier recognition of disease risk and creation of preventive measures.
"We feel that we are doing meaningful work and hope that over time, this small contribution of ours, combined with many people, can become great and open a bright future for science, innovation, and better medicine," – shares Urtė Andriuškevičiūtė after donating blood to the Biobank.
Residents' decision to become Population Biobank participants is a certain expression of civic responsibility. For medical science progress, not only clinical information is important, but also data shared by people about their lifestyle – nutrition, physical activity, type of work, daily experiences affecting health. The various types of data collected in the Biobank allow this information to be studied as a whole, thus revealing the overall health picture of Lithuanian residents.
"Becoming a Biobank participant is a very simple and clear way to contribute to society's well-being. For me personally, it's important to help science and hope that doctors in the future will have more knowledge and opportunities to take care of us and our children," – says Justinas Jarutis.
We remind you that the Lithuanian Population and Rare Diseases Biobank was established in spring 2025 by Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine. All Lithuanian residents, regardless of health status, can become Population Biobank participants – register on the online platform biobankas.mf.vu.lt, fill out a questionnaire about your lifestyle, and come for a blood sample. Currently, blood can be given at the VU Medical Science Center in Vilnius, as well as at "Rezus" clinics in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Šiauliai. In the future, the Biobank partner network will be expanded.
Source: VU Faculty of Medicine
