Ignacio Provencio | University of Virginia School of Medicine

Bio & Overview

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 as 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.

Academic Information

Department: Biology

Academic Title: Associate Professor

Primary Education

BA, Biology, Swarthmore College, 1987
PhD, Biology, University of Virginia, 1996
Postdoc, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Uniformed Services University , 1999

Other Appointments

Associate Professor, Neuroscience

Other Affiliations

Associate Professor, BIMS

Research Interests

The Role of Melanopsin Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Photic Regulation of Mammalian Circadian Rhythms

Research Disciplines

Neuroscience

Research Opportunities

Neuroscience

PhD Programs

Neuroscience

Selected Publications

2017

Ksendzovsky, A., Pomeraniec, I. J., Zaghloul, K. A., Provencio, J. J., & Provencio, I. (2017). Clinical implications of the melanopsin-based non-image-forming visual system. NEUROLOGY, 88(13), 1282-1290. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000003761

2015

Aytuerk, D. G., Castrucci, A. M., Carr, D. E., Keller, S. R., & Provencio, I. (2015). Lack of Melanopsin Is Associated with Extreme Weight Loss in Mice upon Dietary Challenge. PLOS ONE, 10(5). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127031

2013

Lucas, R. J., Peirson, S. N., Berson, D. M., Brown, T. M., Cooper, H. M., Czeisler, C. A., . . . Brainard, G. C. (2014). Measuring and using light in the melanopsin age. TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES, 37(1), 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.10.004

2012

Warthen, D. M., & Provencio, I. (2012). The role of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in nonimage-forming responses to light. EYE AND BRAIN, 4, 43-48. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/

2011

Warthen, D. M., Wiltgen, B. J., & Provencio, I. (2011). Light enhances learned fear. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 108(33), 13788-13793. doi:10.1073/pnas.1103214108

Provencio, I. (2011). The hidden organ in your eyes.. Scientific American, 304(5), 54-59. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0511-54

2010

Provencio, I. (2010). Shedding light on photoperiodism. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 107(36), 15662-15663. doi:10.1073/pnas.1010370107

Gonzalez-Menendez, I., Contreras, F., Cernuda-Cernuda, R., Provencio, I., & Garcia-Fernandez, J. M. (2010). Postnatal Development and Functional Adaptations of the Melanopsin Photoreceptive System in the Albino Mouse Retina. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 51(9), 4840-4847. doi:10.1167/iovs.10-5253

Berson, D. M., Castrucci, A. M., & Provencio, I. (2010). Morphology and Mosaics of Melanopsin-Expressing Retinal Ganglion Cell Types in Mice. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, 518(13), 2405-2422. doi:10.1002/cne.22381