On September 26, 2025, Daugavpils University hosted the annual science popularization event, European Researchers’ Night, which brought together hundreds of visitors, including school pupils, students, families, and city guests. This year, the Institute of Life Sciences and Technology stood out in particular, offering more than twenty engaging activities.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore the diversity of the living world, from cells and genes to insects, plants, birds, and ecosystems. The program was enriched with topics related to chemistry and physics, such as biomass conversion to energy, nanoparticle research, and microscopy technologies.
Activities and Participants
Daugavpils – the city on sand hills. Sand grains under the microscope – exploring dune relief and sand grain microscopy. Anna Andžāne, Juris Soms
Automated acquisition and online processing of meteorological data. Demonstration of the DU weather station operation and data visualization. Dāvis Gruberts
Green energy from biomass: technologies for tomorrow. Experiments on biomass conversion to energy, gasification, and pyrolysis. Sergejs Osipovs, Maksims Stašāns, Vladimirs Gusarovs, Vitālijs Fiļipovs, Jurijs Kazakevičs
Decode DNA and discover the invisible world around you! An interactive game on the genetic code and nanotechnologies. Aleksandra Mošenoka
Revealing the secrets of seeds and creating an in vitro world. Sowing sterile seeds in nutrient media and identifying plants. Ilona Plaksenkova
Journey into the nanoworld. A board game about nanoparticles and their applications in technology. Lauris Jankovskis
Amazing genetics. A workshop on cat coat color inheritance and the basics of genetics. Marina Savicka, Aleksandra Morozova, Jeļena Oreha
Discover DNA in your kitchen! Extracting DNA from fruits and vegetables using simple household materials. Anastasija Čerkesa, Evelīna Vivate, Laura Emīlija Pozņaka, Nataļja Škute
Proper handwashing as a disease prevention measure. About microorganisms and the importance of hygiene. Anna Batjuka, Inta Umbraško
Secrets of cells: how a genetics laboratory works. Open doors and demonstrations at DU’s genetics laboratory. Aleksandrs Petjukevičs, Nataļja Škute
The mysterious world of insects. Exhibition of insect collections and the game “How well do you know insects?”. Artūrs Vanags, Chrestine Torrejos
Living jewels of the Philippine jungle. Exploring the diversity of tropical beetles. Arvīds Barševskis, Chrestine Torrejos
Longhorn beetles of the Sēlija region. Exhibition of longhorn beetle species and their role in ecosystems. Zane Zeltiņa, Arvīds Barševskis
Beetles of the genus Euryphagus. Observation of rare beetles under the microscope. Liliāna Funikova, Arvīds Barševskis
The smallest beetles of Latvia under the microscope. Study of featherwing beetles (Ptiliidae). Karīna Tuča, Arvīds Barševskis
Look into a beetle’s mouth. A close-up view of beetle anatomy. Enija Putāne, Arvīds Barševskis
Birdhouses and feeders for biodiversity conservation. Demonstration of different nest box and feeder designs, plus videos of wild birds. Ligita Bižāne, Aleksandra Marijevska, Ēriks Sļedevskis
Commercial bumblebee colonies and pollinator diversity. Demonstration of a live bumblebee hive and the importance of pollination. Aleksandra Marijevska, Ligita Bižāne, Valērijs Ašķeļaņecs, Ēriks Sļedevskis
The fluorescent micro-world. Demonstrations of confocal microscopy. Muza Kirjušina, Sanita Kecko, Ligita Mežaraupe, Ilze Rubeniņa
Fascinating microscopy. Viewing various specimens under a stereomicroscope: mites, aquatic organisms, and more. Muza Kirjušina, Aija Brakovska, Sanita Kecko, Ligita Mežaraupe, Ilze Rubeniņa
Quiz “From Micro to Macro World.” Discussion and exercises on parasite sizes. Muza Kirjušina, Sanita Kecko, Ligita Mežaraupe, Ilze Rubeniņa
Young Scientist. Practicing pipetting skills with colorful solutions. Muza Kirjušina, Sanita Kecko, Ligita Mežaraupe, Ilze Rubeniņa
Field expedition in the Latgale Wetland. An educational trip about wetland species and ecology. Artūrs Škute, Mihails Pupiņš, Antons Lovačovs, Danila Bulis
Excursion “Aliens Among Us.” Exploring invasive plant species in Esplanāde Park. Dana Krasnopoļska
Excursion “The Fascinating World of Lichens.” Studying lichen species in Dubrovina Park. Rolands Moisejevs
Find out if you have the bryologist gene! Studying mosses and learning the basics of bryology. Līga Anna Leitāne, Anna Mežaka
Alien species in Latvia’s nature. Threats posed by invasive plants and ways to control them. Pēteris Evarts-Bunders, Dana Krasnopoļska, Nature Conservation Agency
Excursion “Secrets of Insect Life.” Exploring insect life cycles at the Latgale Zoo. Maksims Balalaikins
All activities attracted great interest – both children and adults participated in experiments, worked with microscopes, explored laboratory methods, observed insect collections, learned about birdhouse and feeder diversity, and joined educational excursions in nature.
Through its extensive program, the Institute of Life Sciences and Technology demonstrated Daugavpils University’s significant role in promoting science in Latgale and throughout Latvia.
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