Ivo Pontes Torres Filho, M.D., Ph.D.

Research

Our research helps to understand factors that affect the distribution of oxygen and blood flow in the microcirculation in health and disease by applying novel techniques and methods. Experimental and mathematical strategies are used to identify the mechanisms behind certain cardiovascular diseases and their treatment. We also aim to develop new tools for diagnosis and interventions against these diseases.

The lab employs phosphorescence and Raman microspectroscopy techniques to determine oxygen tension and hemoglobin oxygen saturation levels in microvessels and interstitial spaces. In vitro approaches, using animal as well as human blood, generate well controlled data as background for models that can be tested in vivo. Fluorescence microscopy is used to study leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo and to evaluate these events during disturbed states. A key component of our approach is to jointly study systemic and local oxygen delivery by monitoring cardiac output and blood oxygen content, in addition to microvascular variables. Our focus is on translational physiology and the questions are related to treatment of ischemia, hemorrhagic shock and sickle cell anemia as well as oxygenation and blood flow regulation at tissue level. The experiments may include acute embolism, hemorrhage and hemodilution techniques including testing of stored blood and blood substitutes (oxygen therapeutics) such as hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and perfluorocarbons.