[return to list] 
Ignacio  Provencio
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: Univ of Virginia
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor of Biology
Research Interests:
The Role of Melanopsin Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Photic Regulation of Mammalian Circadian Rhythms

Email Address: ip7m@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Neuroscience
    • Research Description

    Light is critical for many biological processes. While vision is the most obvious of these, much of our "non-visual" physiology is regulated by light. For example, the internal 24-hour (circadian) clock that controls daily rhythms such as our sleep:wake cycle is reset by light. Responses that are controlled by the sympathetic system such constriction of the eye's pupil, the production of the hormone melatonin, or even heart rate are all regulated by light to some degree. Many of these non-visual responses to light are controlled, at least in part, by a recently discovered class of photoreceptor in the retina. Melanopsin is the photopigment within these novel photoreceptors that renders them light-sensitive. Our lab is interested in understanding the role that these melanopsin-based photoreceptors play in various non-visual responses to light. In addition, we are trying to elucidate the biochemical details of the signaling cascade that is initiated by melanopsin activation. We hope that these studies will illuminate the broader impact of light on vertebrate physiology.

    Selected Publications
  • Roecklein, K. A. et al. A missense variant (P10L) of the melanopsin (OPN4) gene in seasonal affective disorder. J Affect Disord (2008) in press.
  • Goz, D. et al. Targeted destruction of photosensitive retinal ganglion cells with a saporin conjugate alters the effects of light on mouse circadian rhythms. PLoS ONE 3, e3153 (2008).
  • Isoldi, M. C., Rollag, M. D., Castrucci, A. M. & Provencio, I. Rhabdomeric phototransduction initiated by the vertebrate photopigment melanopsin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102, 1217-21 (2005).
  • Qiu, X. et al. Induction of photosensitivity by heterologous expression of melanopsin. Nature 433, 745-9 (2005).
  • PubNed Listing for Faculty Member
    • Intranet Profile
    [To add/update Intranet profile information, read these instructions.]
    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 400328, Department of Biology, 281 Gilmer Hall, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-4412
      Fax Phone: +1 801-729-0866
      Home Phone: +1 434-295-2926
      Mobile Phone: +1 434-409-8271
      Web Site: http://www.virginia.edu/biology/faculty/pro

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/neuroscience/Faculty/Provencio.cfm

    (Find Out How to Update Your Faculty Profile)