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Health Sciences profile

Dr Jithendra Ratnayake

DepartmentDepartment of Oral Sciences
QualificationsBEng(Hons) (Sheffield) PhD (Otago)
Research summaryBiomaterials and regenerative medicine
TeachingOral biology, biomaterials and bioengineering
Memberships
  • European Society of Biomaterials (ESB)
  • Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (ASBTE)
  • International Association of Dental Research (IADR)
  • Materials Research Society (MRS)

Research

My main area of research is focused on developing novel biomaterials from waste resources for biomedical applications.

I became interested in adding value to the waste products from New Zealand’s annual $NZ6 billion red meat export industry. I have significant expertise in characterising biomaterials using various analytical techniques and evaluating biocompatibility using in-vitro and in-vivo techniques.

My secondary research interests lie in developing medical devices, dental materials, restorative dentistry and dental education.

Current research strategies are focused on:

  • Developing novel bone grafts from bovine and ovine bone for bone regeneration applications
  • Developing bio-composite materials for biomedical applications (wound dressing, cleft lip palate repair, and orthopaedic applications)
  • Development and testing of a bovine-derived nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste for caries management
  • Development of a hybrid composite from natural Montmorillonite clay and waste bovine bone for dental restoration applications
  • Synthesis of A Triple-functionalized Multilayer on Porous CFR-PEEK Implants

Additional details

I serve as an adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Kothelawala Defence University (KDU), Sri Lanka. I have commercial collaborations with Colgate Palmolive Ltd, ANZCO foods and Intuitive 8 Healthcare LLC (India) and Universities in the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Before moving to New Zealand, I served in the British and Sri Lankan military. Outside of work, you can find me on the cricket field or walking my two dogs.

Publications

Imran, E., Cooper, P. R., Ratnayake, J., Ekambaram, M., & Mei, M. L. (2023). Potential beneficial effects of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on caries lesions in vitro: A review of the literature. Dentistry Journal, 11, 40. doi: 10.3390/dj11020040

Gould, M. L., Ratnayake, J. T. B., Ramesh, N., Powlay, T. J., Curnow, O. J., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2023). In vivo biocompatibility of non-derivatized cellulose regenerated using ionic liquids. Journal of Polymers & the Environment, 31, 1335-1350. doi: 10.1007/s10924-022-02640-w

Ratnayake, J., Camilleri, J., Haththotuwa, T. N., & Huang, J. (2023). In vitro biological testing of dental materials. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan, N. C. K. Heng & P. R. Cooper (Eds.), Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588). (3rd ed.) (pp. 505-524). New York, NY: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8_31

Khurshid, Z., Alfarhan, M. F., Mazher, J., Bayan, Y., Cooper, P. R., Dias, G. J., … Ratnayake, J. (2022). Extraction of hydroxyapatite from camel bone for bone tissue engineering application. Molecules, 27(22), 7946. doi: 10.3390/molecules27227946

Khashashneh, M., Ratnayake, J., Choi, J. J. E., Mei, L., Lyons, K., & Brunton, P. A. (2022). The effectiveness of dental bleaching during orthodontic treatment with clear aligners: A systematic review. Applied Sciences, 12(21), 11274. doi: 10.3390/app122111274

Ratnayake, J., Camilleri, J., Haththotuwa, T. N., & Huang, J. (2023). In vitro biological testing of dental materials. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan, N. C. K. Heng & P. R. Cooper (Eds.), Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588). (3rd ed.) (pp. 505-524). New York, NY: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8_31

Chapter in Book - Research

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Calcium-based ceramic biomaterials. In C. Wen (Ed.), Structural biomaterials: Properties, characteristics, and selection. (pp. 333-394). Duxford, UK: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818831-6.00011-2

Chapter in Book - Research

Gould, M. L., Ratnayake, J. T. B., Ramesh, N., Powlay, T. J., Curnow, O. J., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2023). In vivo biocompatibility of non-derivatized cellulose regenerated using ionic liquids. Journal of Polymers & the Environment, 31, 1335-1350. doi: 10.1007/s10924-022-02640-w

Journal - Research Article

Ahmed, H., Ratnayake, J., Cathro, P., & Chandler, N. (2022). The effect of an additional application of sealer prior to backfilling in the Continuous Wave of Condensation technique. Australian Endodontic Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/aej.12658

Journal - Research Article

Cai, M., Ratnayake, J., Cathro, P., Gould, M., & Ali, A. (2022). Investigation of a novel injectable chitosan oligosaccharide-bovine hydroxyapatite hybrid dental biocomposite for the purposes of conservative pulp therapy. Nanomaterials, 12, 3925. doi: 10.3390/nano12213925

Journal - Research Article

Khurshid, Z., Alfarhan, M. F., Mazher, J., Bayan, Y., Cooper, P. R., Dias, G. J., … Ratnayake, J. (2022). Extraction of hydroxyapatite from camel bone for bone tissue engineering application. Molecules, 27(22), 7946. doi: 10.3390/molecules27227946

Journal - Research Article

Khurshid, Z., Asiri, F. Y. I., Najeeb, S., & Ratnayake, J. (2022). The impact of autologous platelet concentrates on the periapical tissues and root development of replanted teeth: A systematic review. Materials, 15, 2776. doi: 10.3390/ma15082776

Journal - Research Article

Kumar Yadalam, P., Madapusi Balaji, T., Varadarajan, S., Alzahrani, K. J., Al-Ghamdi, M. S., Ali Baeshen, H., … Ratnayake, J., & Patil, S. (2022). Assessing the therapeutic potential of angomelatine, ramelteon, and melatonin against SARS-Cov-2. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29, 3140-3150. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.01.049

Journal - Research Article

Mansoor, A., Khurshid, Z., Mansoor, E., Khan, M. T., Ratnayake, J., & Jamal, A. (2022). Effect of currently available nanoparticle synthesis routes on their biocompatibility with fibroblast cell lines. Molecules, 27, 6972. doi: 10.3390/molecules27206972

Journal - Research Article

Olson, H., Ratnayake, J., Senthilkumar, A., Quaranta, A., & Meldrum, A. (2022). Working characteristics for practicing dental hygienists in two countries in different hemispheres. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 20, 209-218. doi: 10.1111/idh.12538

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J., Guan, G., Polonowita, A., Gray, A. R., Loch, C., Li, K. C., Waddell, J. N., Lyons, K., & Brunton, P. A. (2022). Measuring changes in jaw opening forces to assess the degree of improvement in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Applied Sciences, 12(3), 1224. doi: 10.3390/app12031224

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J., Veerasamy, A., Ahmed, H., Coburn, D., Loch, C., Gray, A. R., Lyons, K. M., Heng, N. C. K., Cannon, R. D., … Brunton, P. A. (2022). Clinical and microbiological evaluation of a chlorhexidine-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC-CHX) restoration placed using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique. Materials, 15, 5044. doi: 10.3390/ma15145044

Journal - Research Article

Yong, D., Choi, J. J. E., Cathro, P., Cooper, P. R., Dias, G., Huang, J., & Ratnayake, J. (2022). Development and analysis of a hydroxyapatite supplemented calcium silicate cement for endodontic treatment. Materials, 15(3), 1176. doi: 10.3390/ma15031176

Journal - Research Article

Aghoghovwia, B. E., Okpe, O., McIntyre, E. A., Taniyohwo, E. M., & Ratnayake, J. T. (2021). A brief review on erythropoietin and mesenchymal stem cell therapies for paediatric neurological disorders. Current Stem Cell Reports, 7, 95-107. doi: 10.1007/s40778-021-00189-3

Journal - Research Article

Brunton, P. A., Ratnayake, J., Bodansky, H. J., Mei, L., Veerasamy, A., & Hall, R. (2021). An intraoral device for weight loss: Initial clinical findings. British Dental Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41415-021-3081-1

Journal - Research Article

Ngah, N. A., Dias, G. J., Tong, D. C., Mohd Noor, S. N. F., Ratnayake, J., Cooper, P. R., & Hussaini, H. M. (2021). Lyophilised platelet-rich fibrin: Physical and biological characterisation. Molecules, 26(23), 7131. doi: 10.3390/molecules26237131

Journal - Research Article

Huang, J., Ratnayake, J., Ramesh, N., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Development and characterization of a biocomposite material from chitosan and New Zealand-sourced bovine-derived hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration. ACS Omega, 5, 16537-16546. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01168

Journal - Research Article

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., Moratti, S. C., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Effect of chitosan infiltration on hydroxyapatite scaffolds derived from New Zealand bovine cancellous bones for bone regeneration. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 160, 1009-1020. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.269

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J. T., Ross, E. D., Dias, G. J., Shanafelt, K. M., Taylor, S. S., Gould, M. L., Guan, G., & Cathro, P. R. (2020). Preparation, characterisation and in-vitro biocompatibility study of a bone graft developed from waste bovine teeth for bone regeneration. Materials Today Communications, 22, 100732. doi: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2019.100732

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J., Guan, G., Polonowita, A., Li, K. C., Gray, A., Waddell, J. N., Loch, C., & Brunton, P. A. (2020). Can the measurement of jaw-opening forces assist in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders? Journal of Oral & Facial Pain & Headache, 34(3), 199-205. doi: 10.11607/ofph.2587

Journal - Research Article

Sarfaraz, S., Shabbir, J., Mudasser, M. A., Khurshid, Z., Al-Quraini, A. A. A., Abbasi, M. S., Ratnayake, J., & Zafar, M. S. (2020). Knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners related to disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare, 8(3), 232. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8030232

Journal - Research Article

Brunton, P. A., Ratnayake, J., Loch, C., Veerasamy, A., Cathro, P., & Lee, R. (2019). Indirect restorations and fixed prosthodontics: Materials and techniques used by general dentists of New Zealand. International Journal of Dentistry, 2019, 5210162. doi: 10.1155/2019/5210162

Journal - Research Article

Loch, C., Ratnayake, J., Veerasamy, A., Cathro, P., Lee, R., & Brunton, P. A. (2019). Direct restorations, endodontics, and bleaching: Materials and techniques used by general dentists of New Zealand. International Journal of Dentistry, 2019, 6327171. doi: 10.1155/2019/6327171

Journal - Research Article

Lu, E. M.-C., Ratnayake, J., & Rich, A. M. (2019). Assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression at the invading front of oral squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Oral Health, 19, 233. doi: 10.1186/s12903-019-0928-9

Journal - Research Article

Race, J., Zilm, P., Ratnayake, J., Fitzsimmons, T., Marchant, C., & Cathro, P. (2019). Efficacy of laser and ultrasonic-activated irrigation on eradicating a mixed-species biofilm in human mesial roots. Australian Endodontic Journal, 45, 317-324. doi: 10.1111/aej.12334

Journal - Research Article

Smith, A., Scott, I., Ratnayake, J., Newsham-West, K., & Cathro, P. (2019). An intervention study: Does a cognitive reappraisal technique reduce the perceived stress in fourth-year dental students in New Zealand? International Journal of Dentistry, 2019, 5864591. doi: 10.1155/2019/5864591

Journal - Research Article

Lee, R. J., Ratnayake, J., Veerasamy, A., Loch, C., Cathro, P., & Brunton, P. A. (2018). Demographics, practising arrangements, and standards: Survey among New Zealand dentists. International Journal of Dentistry, 2018, 7675917. doi: 10.1155/2018/7675917

Journal - Research Article

Plutzer, B., Zilm, P., Ratnayake, J., & Cathro, P. (2018). Comparative efficacy of endodontic medicaments & sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. Australian Dental Journal, 63(2), 208-216. doi: 10.1111/adj.12580

Journal - Research Article

Stenhouse, M., Zilm, P., Ratnayake, J., & Cathro, P. (2018). Investigation of the effect of rapid and slow external pH increases on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm grown on dentine. Australian Dental Journal, 63(2), 224-230. doi: 10.1111/adj.12582

Journal - Research Article

Wang, S., Cathro, P., Heithersay, G., Briggs, N., Ratnayake, J., & Zilm, P. (2018). A colorimetric evaluation of the effect of bacterial contamination on teeth stained with blood in vitro: Evaluation of the efficacy of two different bleaching regimes. Australian Dental Journal, 63(2), 253-260. doi: 10.1111/adj.12604

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J. T. B., Gould, M. L., Shavandi, A., Mucalo, M., & Dias, G. J. (2017). Development and characterization of a xenograft material from New Zealand sourced bovine cancellous bone. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 105(5), 1054-1062. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33644

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J. T. B., Mucalo, M., & Dias, G. J. (2017). Substituted hydroxyapatites for bone regeneration: A review of current trends. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 105(5), 1285-1299. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33651

Journal - Research Article

Shavandi, A., Bekhit, A. E.-D. A., Ali, A., Sun, Z., & Ratnayake, J. T. (2015). Microwave-assisted synthesis of high purity β-tricalcium phosphate crystalline powder from the waste of Green mussel shells (Perna canaliculus). Powder Technology, 273, 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2014.12.029

Journal - Research Article

Imran, E., Cooper, P. R., Ratnayake, J., Ekambaram, M., & Mei, M. L. (2023). Potential beneficial effects of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on caries lesions in vitro: A review of the literature. Dentistry Journal, 11, 40. doi: 10.3390/dj11020040

Journal - Research Other

Arora, S., Cooper, P. R., Ratnayake, J. T., Friedlander, L. T., Rizwan, S. B., Seo, B., & Hussaini, H. M. (2022). A critical review of in vitro research methodologies used to study mineralization in human dental pulp cell cultures. International Endodontic Journal, 55(Suppl. 1), 3-13. doi: 10.1111/iej.13684

Journal - Research Other

Khashashneh, M., Ratnayake, J., Choi, J. J. E., Mei, L., Lyons, K., & Brunton, P. A. (2022). The effectiveness of dental bleaching during orthodontic treatment with clear aligners: A systematic review. Applied Sciences, 12(21), 11274. doi: 10.3390/app122111274

Journal - Research Other

Chen, L., Al-Bayatee, S., Khurshid, Z., Shavandi, A., Brunton, P., & Ratnayake, J. (2021). Hydroxyapatite in oral care products: A review. Materials, 14, 4865. doi: 10.3390/ma14174865

Journal - Research Other

Ngah, N. A., Ratnayake, J., Cooper, P. R., Dias, G. J., Tong, D. C., Mohd Noor, S. N. F., & Hussaini, H. M. (2021). Potential of lyophilized platelet concentrates for craniofacial tissue regenerative therapies. Molecules, 26, 517. doi: 10.3390/molecules26030517

Journal - Research Other

Oliveira, É. R., Nie, L., Podstawczyk, D., Allahbakhsh, A., Ratnayake, J., Brasil, D. L., & Shavandi, A. (2021). Advances in growth factor delivery for bone tissue engineering. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22, 903. doi: 10.3390/ijms22020903

Journal - Research Other

Zhao, R., Yang, R., Cooper, P. R., Khurshid, Z., Shavandi, A., & Ratnayake, J. (2021). Bone grafts and substitutes in dentistry: A review of current trends and developments. Molecules, 26(10), 3007. doi: 10.3390/molecules26103007

Journal - Research Other

Feroz, S., Muhammad, N., Ratnayake, J., & Dias, G. (2020). Keratin-based materials for biomedical applications. Bioactive Materials, 5(3), 496-509. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.04.007

Journal - Research Other

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