Randy Kang

A mediocre bioinformatics & coding geek in City of Hope/ Proud member of the Chair of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Dr. Garcia-Ocana Lab

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

Finally, long-waited paper was published and available online. Thanks a lot for @Brian74534732 and my PI AGO, and everyone who were involved in this project at @AGOcanaLab_COH for guiding and supporting this whole project.
https://t.co/gtnVjmcjlg

[Pancreatic Cell News @PancreaticCell]

Drum rolls for our top post of 2025! 🥁

Through human pancreatic α-cell heterogeneity and trajectory inference analyses, Randy Kang (@randystyle) and team uncovered SMOC1 as a β-cell dedifferentiation gene.

https://t.co/x09Xpm89TA

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

@PancreaticCell Wow, such an honor!! I don’t know how I got this, but thank you so much!! What a great way to end a year!!!

[Qianhui @xiaotuhuihui]

This new paper on diabetes marker genes just came out online! You might find it interesting: https://t.co/KmgKACQncc

[Pancreatic Cell News @PancreaticCell]

🥼 Randy Kang and scientists at @cityofhope used single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq, RNA velocity, PAGA/cell trajectory inference, and gene commonality, interrogating α-β-cell fate switching in human islets.

@NatureComms | https://t.co/pZSJOCmnLl

[Geming (Brian) Lu @Brian74534732]

Human pancreatic α-cell heterogeneity and trajectory inference analyses reveal SMOC1 as a β-cell dedifferentiation gene.
https://t.co/MDgTcmnplA

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

5. Experimentally increasing SMOC1 in human β-cells reduces insulin expression & secretion, impairs β-cell identity, and induces α-cell–like features.
6. A possible feedback loop is suggested: T2D stress → FOXO1 up → SMOC1 up → worsening β-cell dysfunctional.

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

1. Using single-cell & single-nucleus RNA sequencing, the we defined five α-cell subtypes in human pancreatic islets.
2. In healthy islets, we modeled cell to cell transition using deep learning, and found out trajectories between α- and β-cells appear bidirectional.

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

@yunkyeong_lee @Brian74534732 @AGOcanaLab_COH Thanks a lot!!!!!! YK Ssssssammmm~~~|

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

Finally, long-waited paper was published and available online. Thanks a lot for @Brian74534732 and my PI AGO, and everyone who were involved in this project at @AGOcanaLab_COH for guiding and supporting this whole project.
https://t.co/gtnVjmcjlg

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

Finally, long-waited paper was published and available online. Thanks a lot for @Brian74534732 and my PI AGO, and everyone who were involved in this project at @AGOcanaLab_COH for guiding and supporting this whole project.
https://t.co/gtnVjmcjlg

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

3. In type 2 diabetes (T2D), trajectories favor a one-way transition from β → α, consistent with β-cell dedifferentiation.
4. Among genes implicated in this β→α shift, SMOC1 stands out: it is normally α-cell–selective but is upregulated in β-cells in T2D.

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

5. Experimentally increasing SMOC1 in human β-cells reduces insulin expression & secretion, impairs β-cell identity, and induces α-cell–like features.
6. A possible feedback loop is suggested: T2D stress → FOXO1 up → SMOC1 up → worsening β-cell dysfunctional.

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

3. In type 2 diabetes (T2D), trajectories favor a one-way transition from β → α, consistent with β-cell dedifferentiation.
4. Among genes implicated in this β→α shift, SMOC1 stands out: it is normally α-cell–selective but is upregulated in β-cells in T2D.

[Geming (Brian) Lu @Brian74534732]

Stem Cell–Derived, Fully Differentiated Islets for Type 1 Diabetes.
https://t.co/WFjXqHK2o1

[Geming (Brian) Lu @Brian74534732]

Excited to share our latest findings today at 2 PM!
We uncover how mitophagy regulates β-cell identity and immunogenicity in T1D.
Looking forward to great discussions on diabetes research—see you there!

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

Thanks #WRISG2024 for this opportunity!! Learned so much :)

[Matthew Merrins @merrinslab]

Our new preprint presents 3D light-sheet imaging of the intact islet, focusing on β-cell subpopulations that lead and coordinate islet Ca2+ oscillations. Great collaboration between Erli Jin, @JenniferKBriggs, and @BennyScience . https://t.co/1j7mCFDrZP

[Randy Kang @randystyle]

STM article from our lab is finally out!!

https://t.co/qIwqvHif9u

[Brian Hie @BrianHie]

Our lab is recruiting for three (!) postdoc positions:

1. First is a joint postdoc with @pdhsu to work on v cool (imo) syn bio projects bridging molecular & genome scales. Those with experience in either experimental syn bio or in ML (or both!) are welcome to apply! 1/n