John D Kanady

Interests

Research

Intercellular communication, network analysis, gap junctions, connexins, data visualization

Teaching

Large class teaching, online courses, facilitating undergraduate research experiences, multimedia production for educational material

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Mustacich, D. M., Kylathu, R., Bernas, M. J., Myles, R. J., Jones, J. A., Kanady, J. D., Simon, A., Georgieva, T. G., Witte, M. H., Erickson, R. P., & Pires, P. (2021). Abnormal lymphatic phenotype in a CRISPR mouse model of the human lymphedema-causing Connexin 47 R260C point mutation. Lymphology, 54(1), 78-91.
• Pires, P., Erickson, R. P., Witte, M. H., Georgieva, T. G., Simon, A., Kanady, J. D., Jones, J. A., Myles, R. J., Bernas, M. J., Kylathu, R., & Mustacich, D. M. (2021). Abnormal lymphatic phenotype in a CRISPR mouse model of the human lymphedema-causing Connexin 47 R260C point mutation. Lymphology, 54(2), 78-91.
• Pires, P., Erickson, R. P., Witte, M. H., Georgieva, T. G., Simon, A., Kanady, J. D., Jones, J. A., Myles, R. J., Bernas, M. J., Kylathu, R., & Mustacich, D. M. (2021). Abnormal lymphatic phenotype in a CRISPR mouse model of the human lymphedema-causing Connexin47 R260C point mutation.. Lymphology, 54(2), 78-91.
  More info

  Connexin proteins form gap junctions controlling exchange of ions and small molecules between cells and play an important role in movement of lymph within lymphatic vessels. Connexin47 (CX47) is highly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells and CX47 missense mutations, i.e., R260C, cosegregate with primary lymphedema in humans. However, studies utilizing CX47 knockout mice have failed to demonstrate any lymphatic anomalies. To unravel the lymphatic consequences of expressing a mutant CX47 protein, we used CRISPR technology to create a mouse carrying a Cx47 missense mutation (Cx47R259C) equivalent to the human CX47R260C missense mutation associated with human primary lymphedema. Intradermal Evans Blue dye injection identified a 2-fold increase in regional lymph nodes in homozygous Cx47R259C mice compared to wildtype, particularly in the jugular region (4.8 ± 0.4 and 2.0 ± 0.0, respectively, p
• Rankin, L. L., Kanady, J. D., & Stanescu, C. I. (2020). Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Program at the University of Arizona. FASEB Journal.
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  Abstract
• Kylathu, R., Mustacich, D., Bernas, M. J., Myles, R., Kanady, J. D., Simon, A. M., Georgieva, T., Erickson, R. P., & Witte, M. H. (2019). Lymphatic Anomalies in Mice Expressing a Connexin47 Point Mutation. 27th World Congress of Lymphology Abstract Booklet.
• Kanady, J. D., & Simon, A. M. (2011).

  Lymphatic communication: connexin junction, what's your function?

  . Lymphology, 44(3), 95-102.
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  This article reviews recent findings on expression and function of connexin proteins--the structural subunits of gap junction intercellular channels in the lymphatic vasculature--both during development and in the mature lymphatic vessel. Highlighted in particular are recent mouse connexin knockout studies which show that connexins are crucial for normal lymphatic development. We discuss, in general terms, both channel-dependent as well as channel-independent functions of connexins and raise some of the many unanswered questions about the mechanism(s) of action and physiological roles of connexins in the lymphatic vasculature.

Presentations

• Kanady, J. D., & Weinstein, R. B. (2024, August). Designing a course to improve artificial intelligence literacy and skills for physiology majors. Physiology Majors Interest Group Conference. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada: Physiology Majors Interest Group.
• Witte, M. H., Erickson, R. P., Georgieva, T., Simon, A. M., Kanady, J. D., Myles, R., Bernas, M. J., Mustacich, D., & Kylathu, R. (2019, September). Lymphatic Anomalies in Mice Expressing a Connexin47 Point Mutation. 27th World Congress of Lymphology. Buenos Aires and Iguazu, Argentina: International Society of Lymphology.

Poster Presentations

• Kanady, J. D., & Weinstein, R. B. (2024, October). Preparing students for AI in physiology: A practical and reflective approach to AI literacy. Arizona Physiological Society Annual Meeting. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ: Arizona Physiological Society.
• Witte, M. H., Bernas, M., Mustacich, D. J., Kylat, R., & Erickson, R. P. (2018, Fall). The phenotype of a CRISPR mouse model of a human GapJunction C2 (connexin 47) mutant causing lymphedema. ASHG 2018. San Diego, CA: American Society of Human Genetics.