Genetic analysis of thyroid disorders
Our first goal is to identify genetic variants that are associated with HT through genome-wide association analysis.
Genetic analysis of thyroid disorders
Laboratorij Genetska istraživanja bolesti šitnjače
Head of research group
Assoc. Prof Vesna Boraska Perica
Research
Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease and the most common endocrine disorder. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland that may disrupt thyroid function and lead to hypothyroidism. Both, genetic and environmental factors, are thought to play a role in disease development and manifestation; however these factors have not been systematically investigated. Through several scientific projects our research is focused on investigation of genetic and environmental factors underlying HT. As part of the Croatian Foundation for Science Installation grant “Genome-wide association analysis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis” we formed a biobank of biological samples from 500 patients with HT who were extensively phenotyped and genome-wide scanned. Our first goal is to identify genetic variants that are associated with HT through genome-wide association analysis. Our second goal is to identify environmental factors by systematic analysis of all measured phenotypes such as medical status, information on life-style, nutrition, biochemical parameters, antibodies to food antigens and antibodies to viral antigens.
Active projects
Lead researcher: Vesna Boraska Perica
Funded by Croatian Science Foundation - HrZZ
Duration: sept 2014 - jan 2018
Funded by Croatian Science Foundation - HrZZ
Duration: sept 2014 - jan 2018
Analysis of immunologic response to food proteins in development of Hashimoto thyroiditis
Prof Tatijana Zemunik, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Assoc Prof Ante Punda, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Prof Veselin Škrabić, associate - researcher [CV]
Assist Prof Maja Barbalić, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Vesela Torlak, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Sanda Sladić, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Ana Barić, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Luka Brčić, MSc, doctoral student [CV]
Ivana Gunjača, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Dean Kaličanin, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Jolanda Kunjašić, professional associate
Assoc Prof Ante Punda, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Prof Veselin Škrabić, associate - researcher [CV]
Assist Prof Maja Barbalić, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Vesela Torlak, PhD, associate - researcher [CV]
Sanda Sladić, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Ana Barić, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Luka Brčić, MSc, doctoral student [CV]
Ivana Gunjača, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Dean Kaličanin, MSc, associate - researcher [CV]
Jolanda Kunjašić, professional associate
Future directions
We plan to expand our sample collection and to continue our research of genetic and environmental factors on a larger set of genetic variants (obtained by exome/genome-wide sequencing) and by including additionally measured phenotypes form stored biological samples.
Selected publications and doctoral theses
Interests and topics: Thyroid gland, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyreosis, genome-wide association analysis, genetic variant, genetic epidemiology, environmental factors, thyroid autoantibodies, antibodies to food antigens, antibodies to viral antigens