Roles
Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology
Professor of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
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Biography
In his early research career, Dr. Ivanov was a pivotal actor in numerous international research efforts and scientific networks that have led to the discovery of genes related to the development of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most frequently occurring type of leukemia in the Western world. This knowledge gives new opportunities for diagnosis and potential therapeutic intervention for CLL, as well as for the creation of new models for B-cell tumorigenesis in general. Together with his colleagues, he played an essential role in the cloning and characterization of a novel family of gap junction proteins, the Pannexins. Over a thousand articles have been published on this topic to date. His article in the journal Genomics was set to be the first published article describing the Pannexins family. However, a delay in publication resulted in it being published second (Genomics, 2004, 706-16; has been cited 507 times). Since coming to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Ivanov has continued studying the Pannexins family and successfully completed several projects aimed at defining the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of many blinding diseases in the US: cataracts, ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, optic neuritis, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Since inflammation is the key player in the pathogenesis of many of these ocular diseases, Dr. Ivanov more and more frequently asked the question: what are the sources of inflammation in these diseases? By eliminating such sources or triggers, degenerative conditions can be improved at the source of the problem, rather than simply covering up symptoms with medications. This curiosity led Dr. Ivanov to receive his first three-year (2007-2011), $264,000 Scientist Development Grant Award from the American Heart Association and his first two-year (2010-2012), $413,659 R21 grant award from the National Eye Institute (NEI)/ National Institutes of Health (NIH) to find an answer to this question. These awards helped Dr. Ivanov to start his independent career, leading to continuous funding from the NIH to date. As a result, Dr. Ivanov’s research brings us closer to providing an answer to this and related questions. However, the time has come to look beyond merely halting the progression of retinal neurodegenerative disease and to work toward restoring visual function by regenerating lost retinal tissue. To this end, Dr. Ivanov’s laboratory has begun research in the field of developmental and regenerative ophthalmology. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Honors & Awards
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Teaching Interests
Mentoring and teaching were always an important part in Dr. Ivanov’s life. He installed the tradition to teach and mentor students in his laboratory from the very beginning. Dr. Ivanov has mentored many students (medical, graduate, and undergraduate). The result of their work in Dr. Ivanov’s laboratory is participation in numerous publications (e.g., Frontiers in Genetics, 2022, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018; Sci Rep. 2017; Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017; Eur J Neurosci. 2016; PLoS One. 2015; J Neuroinflammation. 2014; Eur J Neurosci. 2014). From the moment that the Master of Science in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology (MVSIO) program was established at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Ivanov has organized and then coordinated (as course director) and taught the “Biochemistry, cellular and molecular ophthalmology” course. -
Research Interests
The main focus of Dr. Ivanov’s laboratory research has been to understand the role and mechanism of sterile inflammation, or innate immune response in the absence of live pathogens, in the pathophysiology of retinal disorders (ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, optic neuritis, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, etc.), with a specific interest in the contribution of a signal for “danger” (so called damage-associated molecular patterns or DAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors such as TLR4 and RAGE. Since signals for “danger” (DAMPs) are liberated from necrotic cells mediating the neurotoxic pro-inflammatory response, Dr. Ivanov’s laboratory also studies the molecular mechanisms of programmed necrosis and its contribution to neuronal damage in retinal neurodegeneration. These projects were supported by four NIH/NEI R01 grants (R01 EY032859 [2021-2025, role: PI], R01 EY027311 [2017-2022, role: PI], R01 EY022348 [2012-2016, role: PI], R01 EY026546 [2017-2022, role: Co-Investigator]), the NIH/NIA high priority, short-term project award (R56 AG053369 [2016-2018; role: PI]), NIH/NEI research project cooperative agreement (U01 EY027257 [2016-2020; role: Co-Investigator]), the NIH/NEI R21 grant (R21 EY020613 [2010-2012; role: PI]), and the King Biomedical Research Program Grant 3KB01 (Florida Department of Health; 2012-2013; role: PI). Dr. Ivanov was a pioneer in the study of the mechanisms responsible for sterile inflammation and programmed necrosis in retinal diseases. Now it is the fastest growing field in ophthalmology, which has colossal translational value because studies in this field can lead to therapies with remarkable potential to treat many retinal diseases. The second important direction of Dr. Ivanov’s laboratory research has been to explore the signaling cascades and the epigenetic mechanisms involved in ocular development and regeneration, with a specific focus on neurogenesis in the developing retina and on strategies geared towards stimulating neuronal regeneration in the adult retina. -
Publications
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Professional Activities
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