Prof. Amos Douvdevani

Prof. Amos Douvdevani Profile

Professor


Department : Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology
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Email : amosd@bgu.ac.il
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inflammation, immunity, adenosine, sepsis, transplantation, dna, wound healing, kidney, cancer

Education

  • B.Sc, 1981-1984, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Fac. of Natural Sciences, Dep. of Biology. M.Sc. 1984-1986, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Fac. of Natural Sciences, Dep. of Biology. Ph.D. 1986-1990, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dep. of Microbiology & Immunology. M.Sc 1981-1984, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Fac. of Natural Sciences, Dep. of Biology. M.Sc. 1984-1986, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Fac. of Natural Sciences, Dep. of Biology. Title of thesis: Expression of cellular oncogenes in cells of the macrophage lineage. Under the supervision of prof. Apte, R.N. and Dr. Bar-Eli, M. Ph.D. 1986-1990, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dep. of Microbiology & Immunology. Title of thesis: Constitutive IL-1 expression in fibrosarcoma lines: Regulation by oncogenes and effects of cytokine expression on tumor-host interactions. Under the supervision of Prof. Apte, R.N. and Prof. Segal, S.

Research Interests

  • IL-15 and its receptor in the kidney, the role of mesothelial cells during peritonitis, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ketamine: mechanism of action and development of new application. Our interest lies in the biology of inflammation and immunity in general and in the pathological conditions of the kidney and peritonitis in particular. In the last decade our research has focused on IL-15, CD40 and adenosine. Presently, we are investigating the role of IL-15 in innate and acquired immunity in models of graft rejection, cancer, and inflammation of the kidney and the peritoneum. We have conducted research on the expression and the role of IL-15 in the kidney in both normal and pathological conditions. We were able to identify receptors for CD40 ligand on peritoneal mesothelial cells and demonstrated the importance of CD40 ligation for leukocyte recruitment during peritonitis. In our present study we are examining the expression and role of adenosine and its receptors during peritonitis. We are now also interested in defining the mechanism of adenosine-induced immunosuppression which we are studying in models of severe trauma and cancer.

Research Topics

  • i.Involvement of adenosine, a key modulator of inflammation and
  • immunity, in sepsis and cancer and graft rejection
  • ii. Development of new wound healing compoundsiii. Clinical evaluation of a new method for measurement of cell free DNA

Major expertise and techniques in the lab

  • i.Animal models of wound, bacteremia, sepsis (CLP) and cancer.
  • ii.Animal models of transplantation (skin and heart)
  • iii.qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry,
  • iv.Measurement of cell free DNA

Publications and funding summary / representative publications and grants

  • i.Nakav, et al. Regulation of adenosine system at the onset of peritonitis. Nephrol. Dial. Transplantation, 25:931-939, 2010.
  • ii.Goldshtein, et al. A Rapid Direct Fluorescent Assay for Cell-Free DNA Quantification in Biologic Fluids. Annals Clin. Bio. 46:488-494, 2009.
  • iii.MediWound Grant: Acceleration of wound healing by nanoparticle: in vivo evolution of new compounds 2011-2013,

Existing collaborations

  • i.Clinical departments at the Soroka Medical Center.
  • ii.MediWound for development of wound healing compounds.
  • iii.Prof. Yehuda Zeiri Dept. Biomedical Engineering, BGU

Suggested multi-disciplinary research project / research focus topics

  • i.Measurement of cell-free DNA for early detection and prognosis of cancer,

Looking for expertise / project

  • Looking for a chemist to develop new DNA dye.