Meet Dr. Klara Janjic—a guest researcher & lecturer in the Sedlackova lab

Klara Janjic started her journey as a scientist with a Bachelor program in “Biomedicine and Biotechnology” at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. Afterward, she continued to study the Master's program “Molecular Medicine” at the University of Vienna, for which she performed her master's thesis at the University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna. In 2020, she completed her doctoral studies and continued her work at the University Clinic of Dentistry in research as a principal investigator, as well as teaching numerous lectures on the different curricula at the Medical University of Vienna. Based on her achievements in research and teaching, Klara Janjic achieved the venia docendi in 2024. Currently, she is a guest researcher and lecturer at the laboratory of Dr. Hana Polasek-Sedlackova, which represents an essential milestone on her way toward professorship.

• What is your field of expertise? What are you currently working on?

My current research focuses on the exploration of different aspects of oral pathology, including tissue engineering of oral soft tissues, investigations of pathophysiological mechanisms driving oral pathologies, and forensic odontology. In order to be able to study molecular pathophysiological processes in an environment that is as close as possible to the human in vivo situation, one part of my projects is determined to the development of 3D tissue equivalents that mimic the cellular composition and tissue architecture of healthy and diseased human oral mucosa. This work is performed animal origin-free. Additionally, our work will reveal architectural characteristics of diseased tissue in a quantitative manner, which we will use to develop a deep learning-based decision support system for the classification of oral dysplasia on histopathological images within the frame of a larger collaborative project. The mechanistic part of my studies primarily aims to reveal the role and potential of biological rhythms and photoreception in oral pathology. Finally, another part of my projects is dedicated to find out how morpho-functional relations in teeth can be linked to human individuals for use in a forensic context.

• How did you choose this topic? What do you want to achieve in the future?

Research in dentistry offers a wide space for exploration. While you can find a myriad of published literature on interesting observations in the context of oral diseases, the molecular mechanistic pathways fueling these remain widely elusive. On the other hand, billions of people worldwide, independent of their economic status or biogeographic origin, are affected by oral diseases, requiring adequate and timely diagnostics and therapy. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the different oral pathologies is a prerequisite for the optimization and development of such diagnostics and therapies. Therefore, I aim to fill this gap with my research on pathophysiological mechanisms in oral pathologies based on novel in vitro models that mimic the situation in a patient’s mouth as close as possible.

• What keeps you fascinated about your work?

The work as a scientist implements a broad palette of tasks that are challenging in different ways. I enjoy this variety, enabling to think strategically and creatively as well as to work practically in the lab. What I find fascinating about oral pathology is that macroscopically many of the diseases of the oral mucosa appear very similar but develop based on completely different signaling pathways. I am curious to see how step by step my findings will form a bigger picture. Particularly when looking at biological rhythms and photoreception in inner tissues such as the oral mucosa, recent findings show that the current understanding of the role of light receptors has to be questioned in the future, which could lead to the discovery of novel biological concepts.

Besides research, I experience teaching as a very rewarding job where my efforts to provide high quality in teaching is rewarded by positive feedback in the performance and motivation of the students.

• Can you share your plans for your stay abroad as a guest researcher at IBP? Are you planning some additional activities beyond your planned research?

Together with my host, Dr. Hana Polasek-Sedlackova, I will start a pilot project on genome maintenance pathways in oral dysplasia-derived stromal cells. Within the frame of this project, we want to assess genome duplication at different steps and its role during malignant transformation from oral dysplasia to oral squamous cell carcinoma. In this collaboration, we will be able to combine our expertise to perform application-oriented basic research. I will have the chance to learn state-of-the-art high-content imaging and genome editing, which will bring my research to a higher level.

In addition to this pilot project, I will be able to participate in the ScanR workshop organized by my host, Dr. Hana Polasek-Sedlackova, where hands-on practice on high-content imaging will be offered to participants. Further, we are planning to organize a practical course for students on 3D cell culture systems.

• How do you maintain your work-life balance? In other words, what do you do when you are not in the lab?

What I love about research is that it requires many different ways of thinking. To keep my brain sufficiently energized for these tasks, I take care of maintaining my social contacts and being physically active. For this purpose, I love to spend time at my favorite riding stable or to practice and improve my skills in amateur latin american dancing.

Photo credit: Roman Fuchs, University Clinic of Dentistry Vienna