Institute of Endocrinology

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Institute of Endocrinology

The Institute of Endocrinology of the Medical Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU MA EI) is a branch of the Medical Academy (MA), established to carry out fundamental, clinical and epidemiological studies of diseases of the endocrine system at the international and national level, provide a scientific basis for the third-level (doctorate) studies of LSMU students, and develop the lecturers’ scientific qualifications.

The mission of the Institute is to carry out scientific research of the highest level, promote interinstitutional, intersectoral and international cooperation, develop young talents, and create conditions for their scientific career.

LSMU Institute of Endocrinology has two laboratories: the Diabetes Laboratory and the General Endocrinology laboratory. On 1 March 2021, it employed 27 members of staff (equivalent to 14 full-time positions), including 19 research workers (8.5 full-time positions) and 6 laboratory assistants (3.25 full-time positions), 4 administrative and auxiliary staff (2.25 full-time positions).

Research

Core areas of activity include basic and clinical research in biomedical sciences, including Biology (N010) and Medicine (M001).

Current research fields at the Institute:

Epidemiological studies and registries of patients with diabetes, studies of the influence of immune, genetic and environmental factors on the etiology and course of the disease, studies of prognostic markers of chronic complications
Studies of molecular mechanisms and clinical features of rare endocrine diseases
Studies of predictors of human growth, maturation and reproductive health

Studies

For more details on the theses defended and prepared for defence by doctoral students, please see the information here.

2 laboratories

> 20 researchers

13 publications per year on average

3 new doctoral students joining the team each year

History of the Institute of Endocrinology

4 February 1991 – the Lithuanian Research Centre of Endocrinology established.

29 January 1992 – the Lithuanian Research Centre of Endocrinology formally integrated into the structure of Kaunas Medical Academy as the Institute of Endocrinology. It became the first national institute in Lithuania to become part of a University structure on its own initiative.

The scientific, teaching and practical activities of the Institute of Endocrinology were closely linked with the Clinical Department of Endocrinology at Kaunas University of Medicine, as well as with other research and clinical institutions in Lithuania and abroad.

9 July 1994 – the National Centre of Endocrinology established, with Professor Liudvikas Lašas appointed as its Director.

6 November 2003 – new status for the Institute of Endocrinology of Kaunas Medical University as a state research institution approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

The results of the scientific and clinical research conducted at the Institute were published in national and international scientific publications. The Institute also hosted scientific and practical conferences and seminars, and delivered lectures at various medical institutions.

HEADS OF THE INSTITUTE:

Prof. Habil. Dr Jurgis Danys, 1978–1991
Prof. Habil. Dr Liudvikas Lašas, 1991–2004
Prof. Habil. Dr Antanas Norkus, 2004–2011
Prof. Dr Rasa Verkauskienė, 2011–2026
Prof. Dr Albertas Daukša, 2026 – present

Projects of the Institute of Endocrinology

Recent projects

PerDire
Role of epigenetic markers for the early diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer and long-term prognosis in elderly patients
Biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy: epigenetic modifications of the gene ubiquitin-proteosome system, telomere length and proteasome concentration
Multinational research projects (internationally funded)
Participation in COST activities

“Integrated model for personalized diabetic retinopathy screening and monitoring using risk-stratification and automated AI-based fundus image analysis” (PerDiRe)

Head of the project: Prof. Dr. Rasa Verkauskienė

Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 31 April 2024

Budget: EUR 1,000,000

Source of funding: European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants

“The role of epigenetic markers for the early diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer and long-term prognosis in elderly patients”. Registration number at the Research Council of Lithuania: S-SEN-20-14

Head of the project: Dr. Albertas Daukša

Implementation period: 3 February 2020 to 31 December 2021

Budget: EUR 140,000

Source of funding: the Research Council of Lithuania

“Biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy: epigenetic modifications of the gene ubiquitin-proteosome system, telomere length and proteasome concentration” (RETINUPSDIAB). Registration number: S-LLT-19-1.

Research aim: to investigated the epigenetic changes of the ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS) and UPS-related genes associated with the changes in the proteosome concentration in blood serum and telomere length in white blood cells in DM patients diagnosed with different stages of diabetic retinopathy.

Head of the project: Prof. Dr. Rasa Verkauskienė

Implementation period: 2019-2021

Budget: USD 56,250

Source of funding: the Research Council of Lithuania

Partners: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital (Taiwan), University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory for Personalized Medicine (Latvia).

DIAMOND (Diabetes Mondiale)
EURODIAB-TIGER (Europe and Diabetes: Type 1 Genetic Epidemiology Resource)
InterDiane (LitDiane). Collaboration project with the Finnish research bodies (Folkhalsan Institute of Genetics, Research Center, University of Helsinki) “The Impact of Clinical, Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors on the Development of Late Complications in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus”
SWEET (a global Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus consortium aiming to improve quality in diabetes care and share the best clinical practice)
FIRCAVA (a project on the prevention of complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)

Prof. Rasa Verkauskienė. MPNS COST activity TD1103. The European Network for Hyperpolarization Physics and Methodology in NMR and MRI

Prof. Rasa Verkauskienė, Dr. Romualdas Tomas Preikša, Prof. Birutė Žilaitienė, Dr. Jonas Čeponis Cost activity BM1105. “GnRH deficiency: elucidation of the neuroendocrine control of human reproduction”

Prof. Birutė Žilaitienė. COST activity ANDRONET: European research collaboration, education, and public awareness in andrology

All projects

Publications

1992 – collection of articles “Lithuanian Endocrinology 91” (Lith. Lietuvos endokrinologija)
1994 to 1997 – periodical annual collections of articles “Lithuanian Diabetology” (Lith. Lietuvos diabetologija), in 1998 renamed to and still published under the title “Lithuanian Endocrinology” (Lith. Lietuvos endokrinologija)
2005 – international scientific and practical journal of the Baltic countries “Baltic Endocrinology” launched.
2005 – “Lithuanian Endocrinology” (Lith. Lietuvos endokrinologija) and “Baltic Endocrinology” included in the international “Index Copernicus” database
2006 – “The Origins and Development of Lithuanian Endocrinology. What is what”
Editorial work and co-authorship of the staff of the Institute of Endocrinology in the articles for scientific publications and popular publications, such as the magazine “Diabetes Panorama” (Lith. Diabeto panorama) and the newspaper “Diabetes” (Lith. Diabetas)
2013 – “Practical Guide to Endocrinology” (Lith. Endokrinologijos praktinis vadovas)
2014 – “Diabetic Neuropathy” (Lith. Diabetinė neuropatija)
2016 – textbook “Diabetic Neuropathy” (Lith. Diabetinė neuropatija)
2017 – textbook “Practical Guide to Endocrinology” (Lith. Endokrinologijos praktinis vadovas)
2018 – textbook “Diabetic nephropathy” (Lith. Diabetinė nefropatija)
2019 – textbook “Algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine diseases” (Lith. Endokrininių ligų diagnostikos ir gydymo algoritmai)
2020 – monograph “Diabetes and cardiovascular risk” (Lith. Diabetas ir kardiovaskulinė rizika)