Short description:

The area of ​​Croatia has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and due to its geographical location, it was exposed to the mixing of different populations, the reflection of which can be seen in the modern population living in these areas. With the proposed interdisciplinary approach, we investigate the influence of ancient populations and the state of modern populations, with special attention to two public health problems of today, obesity and colon cancer. With the systemic approach of a team of anthropologists, medical doctors/biomedicians, molecular geneticists, chemical analysts, bioarchaeologists and evolutionary anthropologists, we will thoroughly study the population structure, health status, diet, cultural affiliation and behavior of ancient populations with the help of the latest analytical methods, in this context applied for the first time in Croatia. research institutions. Also, we will improve the previous knowledge in the field of research on the connection between the intestinal microbiome and the toxicological burden of endocrine disruptors with obesity and colon cancer through the development of new methods that are also not carried out in Croatia, and are carried out at only a few institutions in the EU. In doing so, we will develop a database available to researchers and institutions in the field of public health and beyond, which can be used for further research into the factors that contribute to the development of obesity and colon cancer and the development of new, personalized therapeutic approaches. The project will result in the strengthening of the Institute’s and Croatia’s competitiveness in the European research and economic space and increase the possibilities of international cooperation and networking.