Detail

Keywords

Cell Culture Techniques; Circadian Clocks; Digital Histopathology; Forensic Dentistry; Pathology, Oral; Regeneration

Research interests

My research focuses on application-oriented basic research in the field of dentistry, aiming to lay a basis for future applications in therapy, forensic odontology and medical education.

Research areas:

• Oral Pathology | Investigating molecular mechanisms behind oral pathologies such as e.g. oral dysplasia and oral lichen planus
• Biological Rhythms | Deciphering the role of circadian and other biological rhythms in tooth development as well as in healthy and diseased adult oral tissue
• 3D Cell Culture Models | Development of advanced in vitro models using bioprinting, organoids and microtissues in different shapes
• Digital Dentistry | Development of deep learning-based decision support systems for histopathological image classification | Identification of forensic features on isolated teeth, digital tooth surfaces and 3D-printed teeth | Learning outcomes based on the use of virtual models for medical education | Development of standardized protocols for 3D printing of bite splints

Techniques, methods & infrastructure

Most of my work is based on self-isolated primary cells dervied from healthy or diseased patient tissue in the oral cavity.

A key technique of my research work is the use of a variety of 3D cell culture models. They range from simple microtissues of different shapes, over organoids up to complex bioprinted tissue equivalents.

Grants

• The role of segmentation clock signaling during dental development in an organoid model (2023)
  Source of Funding: City of Vienna, Hochschuljubiläumsfonds
  Principal Investigator
• Development of a deep learning-based decision support system for classification of oral dysplasia grades (2022)
  Source of Funding: FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), BRIDGE
  Principal Investigator

Selected publications

1. Janjić, K. et al. (2024) ‘The impact of print orientation and graphene nanoplatelets on biaxial flexural strength and cytotoxicity of a 3D printable resin for occlusal splints’, Dental Materials, 40(11), pp. 1742–1752. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2024.07.031.
2. Janjić, K. et al. (2023) ‘Differential gene expression and protein-protein interaction networks of human periodontal ligament stromal cells under mechanical tension’, European Journal of Cell Biology, 102(2), p. 151319. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151319.
3. Janjić, K. et al. (2020) ‘The response of gingiva monolayer, spheroid, and ex vivo tissue cultures to collagen membranes and bone substitute’, Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/term.3102.