Lithuanian researcher awarded EMBO grant for genome editing research

Dr Constantinos Patinios, a researcher at the EMBL Partnership Institute at Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC), has been awarded the prestigious EMBO Installation Grant, a recognition given to outstanding early-career scientists establishing new research groups across Europe. The grant will support Dr Patinios’s efforts to push the boundaries of genome editing and strengthen Lithuania’s presence in cutting-edge life sciences research.

His project, ‘Pause-Repair-Edit: A New Paradigm for Genome Editing’, aims to develop genome editing tools that can access previously unreachable microorganisms. Traditional CRISPR-Cas systems, such as Cas9 and Cas12a, often rely on double-strand DNA breaks — lethal for many microbes. Dr Patinios’s approach instead pauses DNA replication using targeted chemical modifications, triggering the cell’s natural repair pathways while avoiding fatal DNA damage.

Dr Patinios’s method harnesses natural DNA repair pathways to safely edit bacterial genomes. “Most CRISPR systems used today, such as Cas9 or Cas12a, induce double-strand DNA breaks, which are lethal for many microorganisms. We are looking for a safer, non-toxic path -  one that activates the cell’s natural DNA repair mechanisms without causing cytotoxic stress,” explained the researcher. This strategy could open access to microorganisms previously considered genetically inaccessible, with potential applications in microbiome research, synthetic biology, and industrial biotechnology.

The EMBO grant, worth €50,000 per year for five years, will enable the establishment of an internationally competitive research laboratory in Vilnius and facilitate collaborations across the EMBL network. The initiative also aims to enhance the international visibility of Lithuanian researchers and promote mobility, training, and access to advanced infrastructure.

By combining innovative genome editing methods with fundamental research into DNA replication and repair, Dr Patinios and his team are laying the groundwork for safer, more versatile genetic tools - with potential applications ranging from sustainable biomanufacturing to new healthcare solutions.

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