Bio

Dr Christina Gangemi received her undergraduate degree from Monash University (2016) specialising in molecular biology and biochemistry. She became an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Scholar (2016) and completed her Honours thesis (2017) at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University. She later joined Professor Harald Janovjak’s group at ARMI (2018) as a research assistant before completing her doctorate degree (2019-2023) where she studied optical approaches to promote pancreatic beta cell regeneration. Key achievements from this work include establishing an automated image analysis approach to quantify islet proliferation assays, designing a modular light-emitting diode shelving system for ex vivo and in vitro illumination of primary islets, generating a new assay to test cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) function (a known beta cell proliferation driver), and exploring the effects of photoswitchable pdDronpa domains when engineered into CDK6. During her candidature, she was awarded a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia PhD Top-Up Scholarship. In 2023 she undertook a Postdoctoral Research Associate role in the Janovjak group at Flinders University and has recently joined Professor Seung Kim's group at Stanford University.

Honors & Awards

  • JDRF PhD Top-up Scholarship, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Australia (2020-2022)

Professional Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University, Optogenetics and Type 1 diabetes (2023)
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours), Monash University, Germline stem cells (2017)
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science, Monash University, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theatre (2016)

Stanford Advisors

Contact

  • Academic
    cgangemi@stanford.edu
    University - Scholar Department: Department of Developmental Biology Position: Postdoctoral Scholar

Additional Info

All Publications

  • Optogenetics in Pancreatic Islets: Actuators and Effects DIABETES Gangemi, C. G., Janovjak, H. 2024; 73 (10): 1566-1582

    Abstract

    The islets of Langerhans reside within the endocrine pancreas as highly vascularized microorgans that are responsible for the secretion of key hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Islet function relies on a range of dynamic molecular processes that include Ca2+ waves, hormone pulses, and complex interactions between islet cell types. Dysfunction of these processes results in poor maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and is a hallmark of diabetes. Recently, the development of optogenetic methods that rely on light-sensitive molecular actuators has allowed perturbation of islet function with near physiological spatiotemporal acuity. These actuators harness natural photoreceptor proteins and their engineered variants to manipulate mouse and human cells that are not normally light-responsive. Until recently, optogenetics in islet biology has primarily focused on controlling hormone production and secretion; however, studies on further aspects of islet function, including paracrine regulation between islet cell types and dynamics within intracellular signaling pathways, are emerging. Here, we discuss the applicability of optogenetics to islets cells and comprehensively review seminal as well as recent work on optogenetic actuators and their effects in islet function and diabetes mellitus.

    View details for DOI 10.2337/db23-1022

    View details for Web of Science ID 001321521000014

    View details for PubMedID 38976779

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11417442

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9474-9084