Tanja Karasoulos

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Biomedicine and The Robinson Research Institute, working on the molecular mechanisms that regulate placental development and function, and how their dysregulation - due to various factors - contributes to pregnancy complications.

My current research investigates how micronutrients affect placental morphogenesis, endocrine signaling, maternal insulin resistance, and the development of gestational diabetes. I lead a collaborative research program with colleagues at Flinders University to investigate how folic acid intake during pregnancy affects placental function and maternal insulin resistance, using a combination of cohort-based observational studies and a clinical trial.
In parallel, I use various in vitro models of the human placenta to examine how micronutrients, viruses, and environmental chemicals influence placental morphogenesis and function.

Student supervision: Available Honours and PhD projects commencing in 2026, to conduct in vitro and/or in vivo studies on folic acid modulation of placental function to modify the risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Publications
Grants and Funding
Supervision
Contact

Journals

Year	Citation
2025	Arthurs, A. L., Dietrich, B., Knöfler, M., Lushington, C. J., Thomas, P. Q., Adikusuma, F., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2025). Genetically edited human placental organoids cast new light on the role of ACE2. Cell Death and Disease, 16(1), 78-1-78-12. DOI
2025	Van Der Hoek, K. H., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Coldbeck-Shackley, R. C., Eyre, N. S., Roberts, C. T., & Beard, M. R. (2025). The first trimester human placenta responds to Zika virus infection inducing an interferon (IFN) and antiviral interferon stimulated gene (ISG) response.. Virology journal, 22(1), 108. DOI
2023	Smith, M. D., Leemaqz, S. Y., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., McAninch, D., Arthurs, A. L., . . . Pillman, K. A. (2023). DraculR: A Web-Based Application for In Silico Haemolysis Detection in High-Throughput microRNA Sequencing Data. Genes, 14(2), 1-10. DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC2
2023	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Smith, M. D., Leemaqz, S., Williamson, J., McCullough, D., Arthurs, A. L., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2023). Elevated Maternal Folate Status and Changes in Maternal Prolactin, Placental Lactogen and Placental Growth Hormone Following Folic Acid Food Fortification: Evidence from Two Prospective Pregnancy Cohorts. Nutrients, 15(7), 1553. DOI Scopus3 WoS1 Europe PMC3
2023	Arthurs, A. L., McCullough, D., Williamson, J. M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Smith, M. D., & Roberts, C. T. (2023). Factors influencing RNA yield from placenta tissue. Placenta, 140, 80-83. DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC2
2022	Bogias, J., Pederson, S., Leemaqz, S., Smith, M., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., . . . Roberts, C. (2022). Placental transcription profiling in 6-23 weeks’ gestation reveals differential transcript usage in early development. DOI
2022	Smith, M., Leemaqz, S., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., McAninch, D., Breen, J., . . . Pillman, K. (2022). DraculR: A web based application for <i>in silico</i> haemolysis detection in high throughput small RNA sequencing data. DOI
2022	Arthurs, A. L., Smith, M. D., Hintural, M. D., Breen, J., McCullough, D., Thornton, F. I., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2022). Placental Inflammasome mRNA Levels Differ by Mode of Delivery and Fetal Sex. Frontiers in immunology, 13, 1-15. DOI Scopus5 WoS1 Europe PMC3
2022	Bogias, K. J., Pederson, S. M., Leemaqz, S., Smith, M. D., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2022). Placental Transcription Profiling in 6–23 Weeks’ Gestation Reveals Differential Transcript Usage in Early Development. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(9), 17 pages. DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2022	Smith, M., Leemaqz, S., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., McCullough, D., Breen, J., . . . Pillman, K. (2022). Haemolysis detection in microRNA-seq from clinical plasma samples. DOI
2022	Arthurs, A. L., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Smith, M. D., & Roberts, C. T. (2022). Circular RNAs in Pregnancy and the Placenta. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(9), 4551-1-4551-20. DOI Scopus8 WoS2 Europe PMC6
2022	Smith, M. D., Leemaqz, S. Y., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., McCullough, D., Breen, J., . . . Pillman, K. A. (2022). Haemolysis Detection in MicroRNA-Seq from Clinical Plasma Samples. Genes, 13(7), 1288-1-1288-15. DOI Scopus11 WoS3 Europe PMC9
2022	Williamson, J. M., Arthurs, A. L., Smith, M. D., Roberts, C. T., & Jankovic-Karasoulos, T. (2022). High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrients, 14(19), 1-24. DOI Scopus22 WoS3 Europe PMC15
2021	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Furness, D. L., Leemaqz, S. Y., Dekker, G. A., Grzeskowiak, L. E., Grieger, J. A., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2021). Maternal folate, one-carbon metabolism and pregnancy outcomes. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 17(1), 1-17. DOI Scopus57 WoS33 Europe PMC39
2021	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., Dixon, C., Leemaqz, S. Y. -L., François, M., Leifert, W. R., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2021). The effect of zinc on human trophoblast proliferation and oxidative stress. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 90, 1-10. DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2021	Roberts, C. T., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., & Arthurs, A. L. (2021). Is the US failing women?. EClinicalMedicine, 31, 100701-1-100701-2. DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2021	Habibi, N., Labrinidis, A., Leemaqz, S. Y. -L., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Grieger, J. A., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2021). Effect of selenium and iodine on oxidative stress in the first trimester human placenta explants. Nutrients, 13(3), 1-14. DOI Scopus9 WoS6 Europe PMC7
2021	Winter, M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Roberts, C. T., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Thierry, B. (2021). Bioengineered microphysiological placental models: towards improving understanding of pregnancy health and disease. Trends in Biotechnology, 39(11), 1221-1235. DOI Scopus9 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2021	Smith, M. D., Pillman, K., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., Wan, Q., Bogias, K. J., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2021). Large-scale transcriptome-wide profiling of microRNAs in human placenta and maternal plasma at early to mid gestation. RNA biology, 18(Suppl. 1), 507-520. DOI Scopus21 WoS13 Europe PMC23
2021	Arthurs, A. L., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., & Roberts, C. T. (2021). COVID-19 in pregnancy: What we know from the first year of the pandemic. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA): Molecular Basis of Disease, 1867(12), 166248-1-166248-8. DOI Scopus16 WoS13 Europe PMC17
2020	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Bianco-Miotto, T., Butler, M. S., Butler, L. M., McNeil, C. M., O'Toole, S. A., . . . Ricciardelli, C. (2020). Elevated levels of tumor apolipoprotein D independently predict poor outcome in breast cancer patients. Histopathology, 76(7), 976-987. DOI Scopus25 WoS11 Europe PMC23
2020	Mulder, C., Lassi, Z. S., Grieger, J. A., Bachlani, A., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Roberts, C. T., & Andraweera, P. H. (2020). Cardio-metabolic risk factors among young infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 127(8), 930-939. DOI Scopus25 WoS11 Europe PMC21
2020	Smith, M., Pillman, K., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., Wan, Q., Bogias, J., . . . Roberts, C. (2020). Large-scale transcriptome-wide profiling of microRNAs in human placenta and maternal plasma at early to mid gestation. DOI
2020	Breen, J., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Smith, M., Bogias, K. J., . . . Roberts, C. (2020). Temporal placental genome wide expression profiles reflect three phases of utero-placental blood flow during early to mid human gestation. DOI
2020	Habibi, N., Bianco-Miotto, T., Phoi, Y. Y., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Roberts, C. T., & Grieger, J. A. (2020). Maternal diet and offspring telomere length: a systematic review.. Nutr Rev, 79(2), 148-159. DOI Scopus13 WoS6 Europe PMC12
2020	Habibi, N., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Leemaqz, S. Y. L., Francois, M., Zhou, S. J., Leifert, W. R., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2020). Effect of iodine and selenium on proliferation, viability, and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo placental cells. Biological Trace Element Research, 199(4), 1332-1344. DOI Scopus13 WoS7 Europe PMC7
2019	Wilson, R. L., François, M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., McCullough, D., Leifert, W. R., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2019). Characterization of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in human placenta cell types across gestation. Epigenetics, 14(7), 660-671. DOI Scopus10 WoS7 Europe PMC8
2019	Grieger, J. A., Grzeskowiak, L. E., Wilson, R. L., Bianco-Miotto, T., Leemaqz, S. Y., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2019). Maternal selenium, copper and zinc concentrations in early pregnancy, and the association with fertility. Nutrients, 11(7), 1-12. DOI Scopus47 WoS30 Europe PMC43
2019	Wan, Q., Yiner-Lee Leemaqz, S., Pederson, S. M., McCullough, D., McAninch, D. C., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2019). Quality control measures for placental sample purity in DNA methylation array analyses.. Placenta, 88, 8-11. DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC3
2018	Grieger, J., Grzeskowiak, L., Bianco-Miotto, T., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Moran, L., Wilson, R., . . . Roberts, C. (2018). Pre-pregnancy fast food and fruit intake is associated with time to pregnancy. Human Reproduction, 33(6), 1063-1070. DOI Scopus50 WoS31 Europe PMC32
2018	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D., McCullough, D., Wilson, R. L., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Roberts, C. T. (2018). Isolation of villous cytotrophoblasts from second trimester human placentas. Placenta, 74, 55-58. DOI Scopus3 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2017	Wilson, R., Leemaqz, S., Goh, Z., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Leghi, G., . . . Roberts, C. (2017). Zinc is a critical regulator of placental morphogenesis and maternal hemodynamics during pregnancy in mice. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 15137-1-15137-14. DOI Scopus34 WoS22 Europe PMC22
2017	Van Der Hoek, K., Eyre, N., Shue, B., Khantisitthiporn, O., Glab-Ampi, K., Carr, J., . . . Beard, M. (2017). Viperin is an important host restriction factor in control of Zika virus infection. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 4475 -1-4475-14. DOI Scopus93 WoS87 Europe PMC75
2014	Ochnik, A., Moore, N., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Bianco-Miotto, T., Ryan, N., Thomas, M., . . . Hickey, T. (2014). Antiandrogenic actions of medroxyprogesterone acetate on epithelial cells within normal human breast tissues cultured ex vivo. Menopause, 21(1), 79-88. DOI Scopus18 WoS13 Europe PMC15
2013	Bayliss, J., Karasoulos, T., & McLean, C. A. (2013). Immunosuppression increases JC polyomavirus large T antigen DNA load in the brains of patients without progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 207(1), 133-136. DOI Scopus14 Europe PMC13
2012	Bayliss, J., Karasoulos, T., & McLean, C. A. (2012). Frequency and large T (LT) sequence of JC polyomavirus DNA in oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and granular cells in non-PML brain. Brain Pathology, 22(3), 329-336. DOI Scopus18 Europe PMC15
2011	Bayliss, J., Karasoulos, T., Bowden, S., Glogowski, I., & Mclean, C. A. (2011). Immunosuppression increases latent infection of brain by JC polyomavirus. Pathology, 43(4), 362-367. DOI Scopus25
2010	Ochnik, A. M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Cops, E. J., Birrell, S. N., Butler, L. M., Jindall, S., . . . Hickey, T. E. (2010). Medroxyprogesterone acetate impedes 5 alpha-dihydrotesterone induced androgen receptor signaling in normal and malignant human breast epithelial cells. Cancer Research, 70(Suppl 8), 4 pages. DOI
2009	Thompson, K. A., Varrone, J. J., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Wesselingh, S. L., & McLean, C. A. (2009). Cell-specific temporal infection of the brain in a simian immunodeficiency virus model of human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis. Journal of NeuroVirology, 15(4), 300-311. DOI Scopus13 WoS11 Europe PMC14
2006	Abstracts (2006). Brain Pathology, 16(s1). DOI
2003	Reeson, A., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Kasper, M., Rogers, S., & Austin, A. (2003). Application of 16S rDNA-DGGE to examine the microbial ecology associated with a social wasp Vespula germanica. Insect Molecular Biology, 12(1), 85-91. DOI Scopus86 WoS78 Europe PMC47

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2024	Smith, M., Plasier, S., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Williamson, J., Leemaqz, S., Arthurs, A., . . . Pillman, K. (2024). TOWARDS ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY STANDARDS FOR BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA. In PLACENTA Vol. 154 (pp. E59). CANADA, Montreal: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2024	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Smith, M., Leemaqz, S., Mittinity, M., Williamson, J., McCullough, D., . . . Roberts, C. (2024). MATERNAL FOLATE STATUS AND THE PREVALENCE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS: INSIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIAN PREGNANCY COHORTS. In PLACENTA Vol. 154 (pp. E65). W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2024	Williamson, J., Arthurs, A., Smith, M., Leemaqz, S., McCullough, D., Roberts, C., & Jankovic-Karasoulos, T. (2024). EXCESS FOLIC ACID MIMICS DEFICIENCY IN HUMAN PLACENTA <i>IN VITRO</i>. In PLACENTA Vol. 154 (pp. E64-E65). W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2023	Smith, M., Pillman, K., Leemaqz, S., Arthurs, A., McCullough, D., Williamson, J., . . . Roberts, C. (2023). SEX-SPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF PLACENTAL GENE EXPRESSION IN LATE-ONSET PREECLAMPSIA. In PLACENTA Vol. 140 (pp. E16-E17). Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2023	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Leemaqz, S., Smith, M., Williamson, J., McCullough, D., Arthurs, A., . . . Roberts, C. (2023). FOLIC ACID FOOD FORTIFICATION, MATERNAL ENDOCRINE STATUS AND GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS. In PLACENTA Vol. 140 (pp. E80). Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2023	Roberts, C., Leemaqz, S., Arthurs, A., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Smith, M., & Dekker, G. (2023). MATERNAL DISADVANTAGE AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES IN TWO AUSTRALIAN PREGNANCY COHORTS. In PLACENTA Vol. 140 (pp. E9). Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
2023	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Leemaqz, S., Smith, M. D., Williamson, J., McCullough, D., Arthurs, A. L., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2023). Folic Acid Food Fortification, Placental Hormones and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 30 (pp. 159A). AUSTRALIA, Brisbane: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG.
2017	Wilson, R. L., Jankovic-Karasoulous, T., McAninch, D., Roberts, C. T., & Bianco-Miotto, T. (2017). IMMUNOLOCALISATION OF 5-METHYLCYTOSINE AND 5HYDROXYMETHYLCYTOSINE IN THE PLACENTA ACROSS GESTATION REVEALS DYNAMIC CO -LOCALISATION OF EXPRESSION. In PLACENTA Vol. 57 (pp. 260-261). Manchester, ENGLAND: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD. DOI
2010	Bayliss, J., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Bowden, S., Glogowski, I., & McLean, C. A. (2010). Latent brain JC polyomavirus: the role of immunosuppression and site of viral latency. In BRAIN PATHOLOGY Vol. 20 (pp. 81). Salzburg, AUSTRIA: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC.
2010	Bayliss, J., Karasoulos, T., Bowden, S., Glogowski, I., & McLean, C. A. (2010). Immunosuppression Increases Latent Infection of Brain by JC Polyomavirus. In JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY Vol. 16 (pp. 8). ITALY, Milan: SPRINGER.
2006	Thompson, K. A., McLean, C. A., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Mankowski, J. L., & Zink, M. C. (2006). Early CNS entry by HIV-1 infected perivascular macrophages does not result in a viral reservoir in an SIV model of HIV. In BRAIN PATHOLOGY Vol. 16 (pp. S14). CA, San Francisco: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.

Conference Items

Year	Citation
2020	Breen, J., Smith, M., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Pederson, S. M., . . . Roberts, C. (2020). Defining Co-expression Patterns and Molecular Pathways of the Placenta During Early Pregnancy.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG.
2020	Wan, Q., Breen, J., Leemaqz, S. Y. -L., Pederson, S. M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D. C., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2020). Characterisation of Placental DNA Methylation Across Early Human Gestation.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG.
2020	Roberts, C. T., Leemaqz, S., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Grieger, J., McCullough, D., & Dekker, G. (2020). Rising Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: It's Not Just About Maternal Obesity. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG.
2016	Wilson, R., Leemaqz, S., Goh, Z., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Roberts, C. (2016). ZINC DEFICIENCY ALTERS PLACENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND MATERNAL HEMODYNAMICS CONTRIBUTING TO FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION IN MICE. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. Portland, OR: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD. DOI
2009	Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Birrell, S. N., Cops, E. J., Jindal, S., Ochnik, A., Thomas, M., . . . Hickey, T. E. (2009). Evaluation of testosterone supplementation during anastrozole therapy in a breast explant model. Poster session presented at the meeting of Cancer Research. San Antonio, Texas: American Association for Cancer Research. DOI

Preprint

Year	Citation
2024	Arthurs, A., Dietrich, B., Knöfler, M., Lushington, C., Thomas, P., Adikusuma, F., . . . Roberts, C. (2024). Genetically edited human placental organoids cast new light on the role of ACE2 in placental development. DOI
2024	Arthurs, A., Jackson, M., McCullough, D., Scott, H., Barnett, C., Webb, S., . . . Roberts, C. (2024). Circular RNAs accumulate in ageing human placental tissue and in stillbirth, leading to DNA damage and cellular senescence. DOI

An NHMRC Ideas Grant (2025–2028) was awarded to Lead Investigator Dr. Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos and her colleagues at The University of Adelaide and Flinders University, to undertake the study titled ‘Too Much of a Good Thing? Examining the Impacts of Folic Acid Supplementation After the First Trimester on Placental Endocrine Function and Insulin Resistance During Pregnancy.

A Diabetes Australia General Grant (2025) was awarded to Lead Investigator Dr. Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos to investigate the molecular targets of folic acid in the placenta.

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2018	Co-Supervisor	Impact of Maternal Micronutrient Deficiency on Placental Function and Pregnancy Outcome	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Mrs Martha Menberu

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2018 - 2020	Co-Supervisor	The Effect of Micronutrients in Oxidative Stress, Proliferation and Apoptosis in Placenta	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Nahal Habibi

Other Supervision Activities

Date	Role	Research Topic	Location	Program	Supervision Type	Student Load	Student Name
2024 - ongoing	Principal Supervisor	Investigating the effects of high folic acid on placental folate metabolism	Flinders University	Medical Studies - 2 Year Research Project	Other	Full Time	Alexander Phillips-Hughes
2022 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	Folic acid regulation of placental function	Flinders University	-	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Jessica Williamson
2022 - 2024	Principal Supervisor	Folic acid food fortification and pregnancy health	Flinders University	Medical Studies - 2 Year Research Project	Other	Full Time	Madeleine Veitch
2021 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	Investigating the role of Pregnancy Zone Protein in Preeclampsia	Flinders University	-	Doctorate	Full Time	Demi Georgiou

Email: tanja.jankovic-karasoulos@adelaide.edu.au