Smart Integration of Genetics with Sciences of the Past in Croatia: Minding and Mending the Gap
Horizon 2020 (H2020-TWINN-2015)
Web: http://mendthegap.agr.hr/
Smart Integration of Genetics with Sciences of the Past in Croatia: Minding and Mending the Gap
(692249 – MendTheGap)
Project duration: 1 February 2016 – 31 January 2019
Coordinator: CrEAMA (Croatian Eastern-Adriatic MIT disciplinary Archaeology Initiative)
(University of Zagreb Faculty of Agronomy, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute for Anthropological Research, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Croatian Natural History Museum, Cultural Centre Vela Luka)
Partners:
University of Cambridge (Cambridge, Great Britain)
University of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)
Summary of the project:
This project is an innovative opportunity to mend several gaps in the research capacity in Croatia in Archaeology, Genetics, and other ‘Sciences of the Past’ by twinning a consortium of Croatian researchers (CrEAMA Initiative) with archaeological scientists from the University of Cambridge (UCAM) and the University of Pisa (UP). The project exploits location-specific advantages that arise from two crucial facts. Firstly, there is large number of archaeological sites and remains in Croatia that are relatively understudied. Secondly there is a group of researchers (CrEAMA Initiative) whose research capacity, impact, and grant success at the European level has not realised full potential owing to a relative lack of resources, coordination, and strategic planning. This project will unlock this latent scientific potential by developing multi-inter-trans- disciplinary (MIT disciplinary) expertise. Our ultimate vision is to develop a research group capable of using an MIT disciplinary approach to Sciences of the Past; this will be a powerful force for innovation and will contribute to resolving contemporary issues. This vision will be realised through support from our partners: the UCAM and the UP. Both institutions display success in Archaeology, Genetics and other Sciences of the Past, and have proven track records in applying for and completing EU-funded research projects. The first goal is to establish and integrate the existing MIT disciplinary scientific research community in Croatia. The second goal is to upgrade and intensify scientific research of CrEAMA Initiative by utilising recent methodological achievements in genetics (NGS) and other biological disciplines (GMM). The third goal is to foster integration of the CrEAMA Initiative into ERA. Our last goal is to commercialise and integrate the CrEAMA Initiative research with the needs of society (local community) at the local (Korčula Island), regional (Dalmatia), national, European (web) and global (web) level.
(2016. – 2019., HORIZON 2020, European Commission, voditelj prof. dr. sc. Stašo Forenbaher)
Studija genetičkih, epigenetičkih i okolišnih čimbenika rizika za kardiometabolička svojstva u otočnoj populaciji
Naziv projekta: Studija genetičkih, epigenetičkih i okolišnih čimbenika rizika za kardiometabolička svojstva u otočnoj populaciji.
Voditelj projekta: doc. dr. sc. Saša Missoni, Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Suradne ustanove:
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, Sjedinjene Američke Države
Razdoblje provedbe projekta: 2017.
Kratak opis projekta:
Glavni cilj predloženog istraživanja je utvrditi genetičke i okolišne čimbenike koji stoje u podlozi nastanka metaboličkog sindroma na populaciji otoka Hvara, koja je odabrana kao izvrstan model zbog svoje dugotrajne genetičke izoliranosti, povećane učestalosti određenih metaboličkih bolesti i dobro očuvanih zapisa o rodoslovnim stablima otočana. Ovo istraživanje je nastavak projekta iz 2007. i 2008. godine na populaciji od 700 istih ispitanika, a cilj je usporediti promjene epigenetičkih obilježja u razdoblju od proteklih 10 godina (2007./2008. vs. 2017. godine). Na prikupljenim uzorcima provest će se analiza epigenetičkih modifikacija (epigenome-wide methylation analysis – EWAS) te će se dobiveni rezultati integrirati s rezultatima prethodno provedene cjelogenomske asocijacijske studije (genome-wide association study – GWAS), kako bi se otkrila povezanost genetičkih i epigenetičkih čimbenika u razvoju kardiometaboličkih poremećaja.
- Studija genetičkih, epigenetičkih i okolišnih čimbenika rizika za kardiometabolička svojstva u otočnoj populaciji
(2016. – 2017., National Institutes of Health, SAD, voditelji: akademik Pavao Rudan i doc. dr. sc. Saša Missoni)
Petar Klepac – junak s dvije domovine
Trajanje: 2015. – 2017.
Voditelji projekta:
dr. sc. Ana Perinić Lewis, znanstvena suradnica (Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb)
dr. sc. Saša Poljak Istenič (Inštitut za slovensko narodopisje SAZU, Ljubljana)
Suradnici:
dr. sc. Jelena Marković, znanstvena suradnica (Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku, Zagreb)
dr. sc. Nataša Polgar, viša asistentica/poslijedoktorandica (Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku, Zagreb)
Morana Jarec, mag., poslijediplomantica na Poslijediplomskom doktorskom studiju etnologije i kulturne antropologije (Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb)
Maja Adžija, prof., asistentica, poslijediplomantica na Poslijediplomskom doktorskom studiju komparativne književnosti (Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu)
dr. sc. Monika Kropej Telban, znanstvena svetnica (Inštitut za slovensko narodopisje ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana)
dr. sc. Saša Babič, asistentka z doktoratom (Inštitut za slovensko narodopisje ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana)
dr. sc. Katarina Šrimpf, asistentka z doktoratom (Inštitut za slovensko narodopisje ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana),
dr. sc. Anja Moric, raziskovalka, Oddelek za etnologijo in kulturno antropologijo, Filozofska fakulteta v Ljubljani
mr. sc. Marko Smole, Etnološka zbirka Palčava šiša, Plešce
Sažetak:
Suradnički projekt bavi se predajnom tradicijom o narodnom i književnom junaku Petru Klepcu na prostoru Kupsko-čabranske doline. Usmenu predajnu tradiciju uspostavljanje državne granice između Hrvatske i Slovenije nije prekinulo, ali je utjecalo na njezin razvoj, prenošenje i trajanje u suvremenim zapisima i predaji. U projektu se istražuje kako su predodžbe o ovome narodnome junaku i predaje o njemu postale dio suvremenih regionalnih i lokalnih identifikacija te reprezentacija kulture i baštine u pograničnome području.
(2015. – 2017., Hrvatsko-slovenski program bilateralne suradnje, voditeljica dr. sc. Ana Perinić Lewis)
Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Multilingual Adriatic Littoral
Naziv projekta: Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Multilingual Adriatic Littoral
Voditelj projekta: prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić
Ustanova na kojoj se projekt provodi: Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb
Razdoblje provedbe projekta: 2014. – 2015.
Ustanova koja financira projekt: Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i športa RH
Suradnici:
Gualtiero Boaglio, Sveučilište u Beču
Andreas Gottsmann, Austrijska akademija znanosti
Claudia Berger, Sveučilište u Beču
Olga Orlić, Institut za antropologiju
Josip Lah, Institut za antropologiju
Anja Iveković Martinis, Institut za antropologiju
Kratak opis projekta:
Povijesno nasljeđe proizašlo iz susreta među kulturama ima značajan utjecaj na rasprave o pitanju europskog identiteta i interkulturnog dijaloga u Europi danas. Multikulturni i višejezični sastav Habsburškog carstva u kasnom 19. i ranom 20. stoljeću predstavlja izazovno povijesno nasljeđe višestruke i promjenjive odanosti, koje zaslužuje ponovno razmatranje iz perspektive suvremenosti i s čvršćim empirijskim temeljima. Međutim, akademski radovi o Habsburškom carstvu velikim se dijelom bave nacionalizmom i nacionalnim tenzijama te ne obraćaju dovoljno pažnje na pojedine društvene prostore koji su i nakon 1900. godine još uvijek čvrsto međusobno povezani te presijecaju anakrone jezične i „etno-nacionalne“ linije. Radi se o društvenim prostorima obilježenim višestrukom odanošću (imperijalnom, nacionalnom, provincijalnom i lokalnom), ujedno kozmopolitskom i kulturno kontingentnom. Kako bi se otkrile ovakve življene forme iz prošlosti nužan je alternativni pristup koji podrazumijeva rekreiranje interkulturnih identiteta potisnutih modernističkim diskursom utemeljenim na nacionalnim, jezičnim i religijskim hijerarhijama.
Jadransko priobalje Habsburške monarhije savršen je primjer takvog višejezičnog imperijalnog prostora intenzivne kulturne razmjene i ekonomske mobilnosti. Ustavni period nakon 1867. bio je u toj regiji vrijeme intenzivne urbanizacije i industrijalizacije, što je olakšalo mobilnost i useljavanje vojnog osoblja, javnih službenika i ljudi drugih profesija iz različitih dijelova carstva, dok je šira dostupnost školovanja potakla urbanizaciju ruralne populacije. Svi su se ovi ljudi oslanjali na prakse iz mjesta iz kojih su potekli kako bi organizirali društvene odnose, rad i trgovinu. Cilj projekta je istražiti interakciju između hegemonijskih diskursa i obrazaca transnacionalnih interakcija i mobilnosti koji su oblikovali interkulturni dijalog u jadranskom priobalju u vrijeme Austro-Ugarske. Glavna namjera je omogućiti nov način učenja iz prošlosti o strategijama prepoznavanja različitosti i prevladavanja društvenih napetosti, kao što su zajedničke kulturne prakse i kulturni oblici veza među zajednicama, kako bi se pospješila integracija unutar Europske unije. Specifični nam je cilj izvršiti kontrastivno čitanje izvora na njemačkom, talijanskom i na slavenskim jezicima, kako bismo rasvjetlili etablirane diskurse proizvodnje znanja, kao i protu-diskurse, te njihovu recepciju među najširim slojevima ljudi. Drugi specifičan cilj je jasno pokazati neprikladnost etničkih kategorija u povijesnoj analizi i razotkriti fluidne kulturne identitete i višestruku odanost, koji su u ovom razdoblju bili karakteristični za urbane populacije jadranskog priobalja.
- Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Multilingual Adriatic Littoral
(2014. – 2015., Hrvatsko-austrijski bilateralni program suradnje, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić)
Genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long term complication in immigrant Mediterranean populations (MEDIGENE)
Project title: Genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long term complication in immigrant Mediterranean populations (MEDIGENE)
Duration: 2012 – 2015
Project number: FP7-279171-1
Project website: http://www.medigene-fp7.eu/
Project manager: Christophe Normand, University Montpellier 1 (UM1), Montpellier, France
Project coordinator: Florin Grigorescu, University Montpellier 1 (UM1), Montpellier, France
Partners:
- Universite Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, Fédération d’Endocrinologie, HOPITAL NEURO-CARDIO, Lyon-Bron, France;
- Centro De Investigacion Biomedica En Red De Diabetes Y Enfermedades Metabolicas (CIBERDEM), Laboratory of Diabetes and Obesity (IDIBAPS), Mallorca, BARCELONA, Spain;
- Catalan Insitute Of Classic Archeology, Tarragona, Spain;
- University Of Medicine And Pharmacy Carol Davila, National Institute of Endocrinology, Neuroendocrinology Laboaratory, Bucharest, Romania;
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia (Principal investigator of the Croatian team: dr. Saša Missoni);
- Alma Mater Studiorum-Universita Di Bologna, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy;
- Magna Graecia University Of Catanzaro, Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Catanzaro, Italy;
- Scientific Institute Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, Department of Clinical Science, Rome, Italy;
- Universita Degli Studi Di Roma Tor Vergata, Department of Internal Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Ioannina University, Department of Endocrinology, Ioannina, Greece;
- Institute Of Biochemistry And Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bashkortostan, Russia;
- Institut Pasteur De Tunis, Research Unit on Genetic Orphan Diseases, Tunis, Tunis;
- Univesity Of Alger 1, Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique (LABIOGEN), Alger, Algeria;
- Institut Pasteur Du Maroc, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Humaine, Casablanca, Morocco;
- University Hospital Of Tirana, Endocrinology Division, Tirana, Albania;
- BC Platforms Ltd;
- PersonMed Ltd, Pecs, Hungary;
- Istanbul University, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Millet Caddesi, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
MEDIGENE is funded by EC to study genetic and environmental determinants of metabolic syndrome in immigrant Mediterranean populations. The authors make a distinction between ancestral, historical and actual migrations intend to use archeogenetic data to understand the genetic heterogeneity of Europe. The fundamental idea of MEDIGENE is to use the genetic architecture of Mediterranean populations to better stratify populations in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) by using Y chromosome, mitochondrial DNA and Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) thus bringing together competences of anthropologists, geneticists and demographists in the effort to uncover genetic susceptibility for insulin resistance.
Objectives: (1) to characterize the genetic landscape of Southern Europe, Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa; (2) to study the variability of 150 candidate genes in both natives and immigrant populations; (3) to search for potential new genes and gene-environment interaction for metabolic syndrome.
Populations: Albanese (Illyrians) migrated in Northern Italy and Greece; Turkish (Altaic populations) forming a large community in Lyon (France); Romanian (Geto-Thracic populations from the Carpato-Danubian basin) exceptionally sedentary for millennia who recently immigrated in Spain; immigrants from North Africa (Berbers admixed with Bedouin tribes or Canaanite-Phoenicians in historical times) such as Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans immigrated in France.
Methodology: Genes will be studied by GWAS and locus refining using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and haplotype mapping together with phylogenetic analysis. Informative filtered SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) will be used to replicate findings in home countries (Anatolia and North Africa).
Expected impact: To ameliorate the GWAS association signal by increasing power and better explaining heritability in population. MEDIGENE program will consider the metabolic syndrome on a broader perspective as adaptation of humans in relation with fertility, population density, social competitiveness and hierarchy or rural to urban transitions and expected findings will have consequences in understanding the way of life of different people with respect of their way of life.
- Genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long term complication in immigrant Mediterranean populations (MEDIGENE)
(2012. – 2015., European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme)
Biological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Sprint Running
Project title: Biological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Sprint Running
Type of project: joint collaborative investigation
Principal Investigators:
The Laboratory of Kinanthropometry of the Dep. Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy: Prof. Emanuela Gualdi, Drs. Luciana Zaccagni and Davide Barbieri
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia: Drs. Saša Missoni and Ivor Janković
Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia: Profs. Igor Jukić and Vesna Babić
Researchers:
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia: Dr. Joško Sindik
The investigation utilizes various lab procedures starting from data collection on Croatian athletes to molecular and statistical analyses at the University of Ferrara in order to determine biological and biomechanical characteristics of professional athletes – sprint runners.
Publications:
- Sindik, J., Babić, V., Missoni, S. (2015). Psychological Aspects of Top Croatian Sprint Runners: Athletic Engagement and Athletic Identity. In: Advances in Sports Research. Linton, E.S. (ur.). New York: NOVA Publishers, str. 81-99. ISBN: 978-1-63483-798-9
- Babić, V., Šarac, J., Missoni, S., Sindik, J. (2015). Athletic Engagement and Athletic Identity in Top Croatian Sprint Runners. Collegium antropologicum, 39(3), 521-528. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 0353-3735
(2013. – 2014., University of Ferrara, Italija, voditelj doc. dr. sc. Saša Missoni)
Obesity in Croatian Roma: The Interaction of Leptin System Genes and Nutritional Status Biomarkers in Different Environment
Naziv projekta: Debljina kod hrvatskih Roma: interakcija gena leptinskog sustava i biomarkera prehrambenog statusa u različitom okružju
Šifra projekta: 2012-36/2013-E7, Nutricia Research Foundation, Hag, Nizozemska (www.nutricia-research-foundation.org). Nutricia Research Foundation je neovisna dobrotvorna organizacija osnovana radi potpore istraživanjima u području ljudske prehrane.
Trajanje: 2012.-2013.
Voditeljica: prof. dr. sc. Tatjana Škarić-Jurić
Istraživači:
Dr. sc. Marijana Peričić Salihović
Prof. dr. sc. Nina Smolej Narančić
Prof. dr. sc. Branka Janićijević
Prof. dr. sc. Jasna Miličić
Dr. sc. Ana Barešić
Željka Tomas
Dr. sc. Matea Zajc Petranović
Sažetak:
Glavni je cilj ovog projekta istražiti učinke promjena u životnom stilu na ekspresiju genetičkih čimbenika rizika za debljinu. Među populacijama koje su izuzetno pogodne kao model za takvo istraživanje ističe se populacija hrvatskih Roma koja se nalazi u fazi tranzicije s tradicionalnog na moderan način života. Kako socioekonomsku tranziciju redovito prate promjene u načinu života te demografska i epidemiološka tranzicija, ovakvo istraživanje omogućuje prepoznavanje onih promjena koje nose povećani rizik za nastanak debljine, a time i za zdravlje populacije.
- Obesity in Croatian Roma: The Interaction of Leptin System Genes and Nutritional Status Biomarkers in Different Environment
(2012. – 2013., Nutricia Research Foundation, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Tatjana Škarić-Jurić)
The Neandertal Genome Project
Naziv projekta: The Neandertal Genome Project
Voditelj projekta: Prof. Svante Paabo, Max Planck Institut za evolucijsku antropologiju, Leipzig, Njemačka
Voditelj hrvatskog istraživačkog tima: Akademik Pavao Rudan
Partneri:
Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb
Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti
Berlin-Brandenburška akademija
An international consortium of researchers has sequenced the genome of our closest relative, the Neandertal.
In a paper released in Science on May 7, 2010 the team reports the sequencing of an initial draft of the genome. The sequence was generated from several Neandertal fossils from Croatia, Germany, Spain and Russia using high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Results indicate that Neandertals are slightly more closely related to modern humans outside Africa. The team also identified several genomic regions that appear to have played an important role during human evolution.
Mrežnu stranicu projekta pogledajte ovdje.
(2008. – 2011., Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Njemačka, voditelj akademik Pavao Rudan)
Languages in a Network of European Excellence (LINEE)
Languages in a Network of European Excellence (LINEE)
EC Framework Programme 6, NoE
Duration: 2006-2010
Network web-site: http://www.linee.info/
Partners:
University of Bern (CH), University of Vienna (AT), Charles University, Prague (CZ), Free University of Bozen – Bolzano (IT), Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb (HR), University of Southampton (UK), University of Szeged (HU), University of Applied languages, Munich (DE), Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan (PL)
Former partners:
Catholic University of Brussels (BE), University of Latvia (LV)
Anita Sujoldžić (Project leader)
Pavao Rudan
Vesna Muhvić-Dimanovski
Senka Božić-Vrbančić
Mislava Bertoša
Anita Skelin Horvat
Lucija Šimičić
Olga Orlić
Mirna Jernej
Abstract:
LINEE (Languages in a Network of European Excellence) is a European scientific network of 9 European universities, involving around 80 researchers. The general aim of LINEE is to investigate linguistic diversity in Europe in a coherent and interdisciplinary way, by developing an innovative, visible and durable scientific network that can overcome scientific fragmentation and serve as a world-wide quality and knowledge-based reference framework.
In particular, LINEE aims to produce coherent, innovative research results by an interdisciplinary approach, integrate knowledge of partner universities, establish a durable, innovative scientific network, reassess traditional research, and raise the visibility of linguistic diversity in Europe as a key issue in European integration. The research space will be re-defined through the development of new methodological and theoretical platforms, which can serve as benchmarks for a concept of “New Multilingualism”.
Research within LINEE is organized in four Thematic Areas, each divided into three levels of analysis (European, national and regional):
- Language, Identity and Culture: Examines how language, identity and culture relate to each other and by what other factors they might be influenced in which way.
- Language Policy and Planning: Examines the adequacy of the existing language policy and language planning efforts in the EU countries.
- Multilingualism and Education: Examines how young people develop an embracing capacity to behave in a flexible and adequate manner in concrete multilingual contexts.
- Language and Economy: Examines the interplay between language and economy and aims to provide results that can impact on the building of a knowledge-based society.
The scientific activities of the Institute for Anthropological research fell mostly within the Thematic area on Language, Identity and Culture (Supervisor: Professor Anita Sujoldžić), more precisely within the following projects: “Carriers and symbols of European culture and identity”; “Europeanization and the reshaping of cultural tourism and cultural industry”; “Language and concepts of national identity”; “Promoting national identity internationally”;
“Local and regional varieties as markers of identity”; “Politics and strategies of identity in multicultural European cities”.
Because of bridge-building between theory and practice, a focus on conflict neutralisation mechanisms and the dissemination of reliable knowledge to the scientific community and other actors dealing with policy issues, LINEE will also aim to provide unbiased scientific expertise to several actors dealing with multilingualism and multiculturalism, such as policy-makers, scientists, stakeholders addressing language diversity and practitioners.
(2006. – 2010., European Commission, Sixth Framework Programme, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić)
Status of Croatians in Macedonia and Macedonians in Croatia; Ethnocultural Identity: State and Perspectives
Naziv projekta: Status Hrvata u Makedoniji i Makedonaca u Hrvatskoj, etnokulturni identitet: Stanje i perspektive (Hrvatsko-makedonski bilateralni program suradnje u području znanosti i tehnologije za 2007. i 2008. godinu)
Šifra projekta: MACRO
Partneri:
Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb
Institut za staroslovensku kulturu, Prilep
Hrvatski istraživački tim
Voditeljica: prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić
Suradnici: akademik Pavao Rudan, mr. sc. Lana Peternel, Olga Orlić
Makedonski istraživački tim
Voditeljica: dr. sc. Sonjica Rizoska
Suradnici: dr. sc. Ljupčo Risteski, dr. sc. Sonja Zogović, dr. sc. Mirjana Mirčevska, mr. sc. Jelena Cvetanovska
Sažetak:
- Status of Croatians in Macedonia and Macedonians in Croatia; Ethnocultural Identity: State and Perspectives
(2007. – 2009., Hrvatsko-makedonski bilateralni program suradnje u području znanosti i tehnologije, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić)
Genetics of Metabolic Syndrome in an Island Population
Project title: Genetics of Metabolic Syndrome in an Island Population (2006. – 2008.)
Project number: NIH-R01-DK069845
Research project funded by National institutes of Health, USA
Principal Investigator of the USA team: Prof. Ranjan Deka, Departament of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
Principal Investigator of the Croatian team: Academician Pavao Rudan, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
(2006. – 2008., National Institutes of Health, SAD, voditelj akademik Pavao Rudan)
Population Structure and Genetic History of Western Balkan Roma
Project title: Population Structure and Genetic History of Western Balkan Roma (2005. – 2008.)
Project number: 7349
Principal Investigator: Dr. Irena Martinović Klarić
Funded by Wenner-Gren Foundation, USA.
The field research was focused on the study of the Bayash, a branch of Romanian speaking Roma consisting of numerous groups living dispersedly in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Whereas the study of matrilinear heritage is underway, the origin and molecular architecture and of the Croatian Bayash paternal gene pool has been unveiled. The Bayash in Croatia represent one population of largely shared paternal genetic history characterized by a substantial percentage (44%) of common H1-M82 and E3b1-M78 lineages. Limited diversity of Indian specific H1-M82 lineages imply descent from closely related paternal ancestors from India, whereas substantial percentage of E3b1 lineages and high associated microsatellite variance is a reflection of significant admixture with majority populations from Southeastern Europe. Additional, although modest, traces of admixture are evident in the low frequencies of typical European haplogroups such as J2-M172, R1a-SRY1532, I1a-M253, R1b3-M269, G-M201 and I1b*-P37. Two phenomena are apparent in Croatian Bayash and analyzed European Romani populations: genetic homogeneity as a consequence of massive sharing of identical, ancestral Indian patrilineages in parallel with population differentiation based on variable distribution of less frequent, but typical European patrilineages introduced via more recent episodes of gene flow.
(2005. – 2008., Wenner Gren Foundation, SAD, voditeljica dr. sc. Irena Martinović Klarić)
Cultural sensitivity and competence in adolescent mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention
Duration: 2006-2007
Partners:
University of Bari, Dept. of Statistics, Italy
Institute for Anthropological Research, Croatia
University of Tirana,Albania
University of Tuzla, BH
Scientific coordinator of the Croatian team: Prof. dr. Anita Sujoldžić
Researchers: Dr. Senka Božić, Prof. dr. Vlasta Rudan, Mr. sc. Marlena Plavšić
Project web-site: http://www.fp6migratoryflows.uniba.it/index.htm
Abstract:
The proposed support action will promote the exploitation of the results of the R&D project (ICA2-2002-10006). Within this framework, it is dedicated to the priority in the domain of health of the Call for Support Actions in Western Balkan Countries, focusing on the evidence-based mental health interventions in immigrant/refugee youth through community-based participatory approach and knowledge building that are aimed at increasing capacity of both WBC and Member States countries to minimize the adverse consequences of the post-conflict and post-trauma health problems. In view of these objectives the action is primarily dedicated to incorporate appropriate “best practices” in the project activities, identified by the systematic review of international research literature to be effective in promoting adolescent mental health in cross-cultural populations and raising cultural awareness. The research will be involved in developing and implementing targeted educational, culturally appropriate information kit for youth and their parents, flexible education and training programme and manual on transcultural and migration issues in youth mental health to be delivered in workshop format, seminars or presentations to mental health service providers, social workers, school counselors and ethnic community members. These actions will contribute to visibility of mental health within the general framework of public health in involved WB countries and will help to develop or adapt policy, local service and institutions to the needs of individuals and families from refugee and immigrant background.
Results:
- Cultural sensitivity and competence in adolescent mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention
(2005. – 2007., European Commission, Sixth Framework Programme, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić)
Mapping genes underlying complex quantitative traits in Croatian isolate population
Principal Investigators:
Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh: Prof. Alan Wright, Prof. Andrew Carothers
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb: Prof. Igor Rudan
The University Court of the University of Edinburgh: Prof. Harry Campbell
Managment Board: Prof. N.D. Hastie, MRC HGU, Dr. Kate Wilson, MRC HGU, Dr. Gordon Murray, EU, Prof. Pavao Rudan, IAR, Prof. Ulf Gyllensten, Uppsala University
Funded by Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh.
The aim of this study is to map and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) concerned with risk factors to common diseases in an isolate population.
The key factors required for such a study are as follows:
1. Geographic isolation. The islands of the Dalmatian coast are wll established geographic and population studies.
2. Reduced genetic diversity. In the Dalmatian coast isolates, endogamy is high, and was encouraged both by economic and geographic factors. The island populations show a range of inbreeding patterns.
3. Population stability. Generally high, due to low immigration, although i varies depending on locality.
4. Environmental uniformity. The comparative environmental uniformity of this island population, for example in terms of diet, socio-economic status and physical activity, is one of the major advantages of a study in this region.
5. Accurate genealogical information. The church archives have good records dation to the 17th century which allows the construction of accurate pedigrees. Thi is an essential components to the study since most of the power of QTL mapping lies in the use of identify-by-descent (IBD) information.
(2002. – 2005., Medical Research Council, Ujedinjeno Kraljevstvo, voditelji: akademik Pavao Rudan i prof. dr. sc. Igor Rudan)
Health Problems, Mental Disorders and Cross-Cultural Aspects of Developing Effective Rehabilitation Procedures for the Refugees of the War-Affected Countries
Contract number: ICA2-2002-10006, EC FP5-INCO: International Scientific Cooperation Projects
Duration: 2002-2004
Keywords: adolescents, refugees, acculturation, mental health, sequential traumatization
Administrative coordinator:
Prof. dr. Amelia De Lucia, University of Bari, ITALY
E-mail:adelucia@dss.uniba.it
Scientific coordinator:
Prof. dr. Anita Sujoldzic, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, CROATIA
E-mail:Anita.Sujoldzic@inantro.hr
Contractors:
Prof. dr. Reiner Buchegger, Johannes Kepler Universitat, Austria, E-mail:reiner.buchegger@jku.at
Prof. dr. Rifet Terzić, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, E-mail: rifet.terzic@unitz.ba
Prof. dr. Ibrahim Behluli, University of Prishtina, Medical Faculty, Kosovo, E-mail:ibrahimbehluli@msn.com
Prof. dr. Zyri Bajrami, University of Tirana, Natural Sciences Faculty, Albania, E-mail:zyrib@yahoo.com
Project web-site: http://www.fp6migratoryflows.uniba.it/index.htm
Abstract:
The project is an international comparative study on risk and protective factors of adolescent health and well being, with particular focus on youth with refugee (or immigrant) experience. Related to the quality of life and health outcomes of adolescent youth it looks at group-specific differences within different socio-cultural contexts across six European countries, including those with high long-term immigration rates (Italy and Austria) and those of post-conflict communities (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Albania). It combines both quantitative and qualitative methods, using a common set-up across all countries involved with the goal of collecting comparable data on adolescents to allow cross-country analyses. Key research questions refer to the assessment of risk and protective factors and resilience affecting psychosocial health of adolescent refugees/immigrants within highly divergent life situations in family, school and community settings, and in highly divergent cultural and contextual settings of different countries. The consideration of the interaction of both developmental intra-personal and inter-personal factors of adolescent integration, as well as its broader ideological, cultural and socio-economic context in particular countries, should help to detect mechanisms that can counterbalance health hazards of “sequential traumatization,” and to implement more efficient preventive mental health rehabilitation programs for these particularly vulnerable victims of post-conflict communitiesAn international standard version of protective and risk factor screening survey as a tool to identify adolescents who may benefit from medical or mental health services was developed. It provides data on the interactive influence of main risk and protective factors identified in different domains, including community, school, family, the peer group, and the individual as well as its consequences on youth outcomes in terms of general health and behavior as well as psychological distress, well-being, and resilience.The total sample collected in all countries involved amounts to over 4800 adolescents who completed the core survey questionnaire in schools.
The obtained results provide important empirical data on the most salient problems connected to psychosocial adjustment and experience of adolescent immigrants and refugees in six countries of resettlement. The study has identified a range of specific risk and protective factors associated with various settings (family, school, community) and additional to those recognized as relevant to adolescents generally, which are uncovering a complex interaction between the young person, their family, and their social, economic and cultural environments.
- Health Problems, Mental Disorders and Cross-Cultural Aspects of Developing Effective Rehabilitation Procedures for the Refugees of the War-Affected Countries
(2002. – 2004., European Commission, Fifth Framework Programme, voditeljica prof. dr. sc. Anita Sujoldžić)
Islands in Transition: Anthropological Analysis
Project title: Islands in Transition: Anthropological Analysis (1999.)
Project number: 98 CRO 305
Funded by: UNESCO Participation Programme
Principal Investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan
Co-Principal Investigators: Prof. Guy Heyden, Branka Janićijević, Igor Rudan, Nina Smolej Narančić, Anita Sujoldžić, Sanja M. Špoljar-Vržina
Scientific Personnel: Stašo Forenbaher, Irena Martinović Klarić, Jasna Miličić, Vlasta Rudan, Lajos Szirovicza, Lovorka Barać, Snježana Čolić, Tomislav Lauc, Ana Malnar, Marijana Peričić, Diana Rudan
Scientific Consultants: Prof. Paul T. Baker, Prof. Derek F. Roberts, Prof. Robert R. Sokal
The project represents a logical continuation of study of cultural and biological microdifferentiation of rural populations on the Middle Dalmatian island of Hvar in Croatia. Investigations were extended topically and geographically, while maintaining the core of cultural and biological components of the previous research and pursuing the holistic analytic approach in understanding the complexity of MAB problems.
Biological and cultural microdifferentation among rural populations
Project number: SMI-JF 259, Smithsonian Institution, USA
Principal Investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan
Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Linda A. Bennett
Consultants: Prof. Paul T. Baker, Prof. Derek F. Roberts, Prof. Robert R. Sokal
Associates: M.K. Gilliland, B. Janićijević, V. Jovanović, J. Miličić, V. Rudan, N. Smolej Narančić, A. Sujoldžić, S.M. Špoljar Vržina, D.M. Waddle, S. Martić Biočina, I. Rudan, S. Čolić, A. Marković Malnar, I. Martinović Klarić, L. Szirovicza, M. Bakran, L. Barać, M. Peričić
The research project included the field work that was carried out by the multidisciplinary research team of the Institute for Anthropological Research. It comprised classical methodology used over the course of last project terms as well as the new DNA analyses. Additionally, the research concerning the problems of refugees and displaced persons was also carried out. It indicated that there is a necessity of conducting the applied anthropological investigations aimed at the benefit of these populations. Since they are influenced by specific and stressful living situations, the population structure changes much faster than it would under conditions normal for the other contemporary populations of Europe.
(1995. – 1998., Smithsonian Institution, SAD, voditelj akademik Pavao Rudan)
The Study and care of refugees families – The pilot study of anthropological and psychodynamic aspects
Project title: The Study and care of refugees families – The pilot study of anthropological and psychodynamic aspects 1994. – 1995.
Project number: 2954-1994, UNESCO
Principal Investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan
General Supervisor: Prof. Guy Heyden
Co-principal Investigator: Prof. Dubravka Maleš
Senior Personnel:
Snježana Čolić (social anthropology)
Mary K. Gilliland (cultural anthropology)
Branka Janićijević (human genetics)
Veljko Jovanović (mathematical modelling)
Jasna Miličić (human genetics)
Josip Perinić (medical anthropology)
Vlasta Rudan (psychiatrist – psychotherapist)
Nina Smolej Narančić (biological anthropology)
Anita Sujoldžić (cultural anthropology)
Mario Šlaus (forensic anthropology)
Sanja M. Špoljar Vržina (psychodynamic anthropology)
Project represents a multidisciplinary approach in the attempt of identifying crucial problems concerning displaced persons, refugees and their families. Particular emphasis is put on anthropological, psychodynamic and pedagogical study of the latter concerning the island of Hvar in the Eastern Adriatic region of Croatia.
Project focuses on:
1. Problems of integration and assimilation of displaced and refugee populations in communities and with respect to host populations who have different social structures and cultural orientations
2. Evaluation of problems associated with the re-organization of families as a result of loss, primarily of husbandsm fathers and sons
3. Mental health problems of the high risk groups concerning the new circumstances of their living
4. Analysis of the mechanisms of self-organization in coping with changed life situation
5. Studying problems related to all aspects of altered childrearing caused by war, dislocation of civilians, violence and changed qualities of family life
6. Studying some elements of the acculturation process concerning the host-culture population and refugees and displaced persons.
The ultimate goal of the investigation is to produce a model that could be useful for application in other societies/countries which are currently going through similar social and political changes, and in those where the same traumatic processes could occur in the future.
The Study and care of refugees families – The pilot study of anthropological and psychodynamic aspects