Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery

Daniel Raphael Saban, PhD

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Assistant Professor in Immunology

Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

Education and Training

University of Florida, M.S. 2002
University of Florida, Ph.D. 2005
Harvard Medical School, Research Fellow, Schepens Eye Research Instittute
Harvard Medical School, Investigator, Immunology, Schepens Eye Research Institute
Harvard Medical School, Instructor, Ophthalmology

Selected Grants and Awards

Publications

Disease-Specific Expression of Conjunctiva Associated Lymphoid Tissue (CALT) in Mouse Models of Dry Eye Disease and Ocular Allergy.

Conjunctiva-associated tissue (CALT) is assumed to play a crucial role in the immune system of the ocular surface. Its function in several ocular surface diseases (OSD) is still not fully understood.

Microglia versus Monocytes: Distinct Roles in Degenerative Diseases of the Retina

Unlike in the healthy mammalian retina, macrophages in retinal degenerative states are not solely comprised of microglia but may include monocyte-derived recruits.

The Immunological Basis of Dry Eye Disease and Current Topical Treatment Options.

Homeostasis of the lacrimal functional unit is needed to ensure a well-regulated ocular immune response comprising innate and adaptive phases.

Neutrophil L-Plastin Controls Ocular Paucibacteriality and Susceptibility to Keratitis

Why ocular mucosa is paucibacterial is unknown. Many different mechanisms have been suggested but the comprehensive experimental studies are sparse.

Large-scale death of retinal astrocytes during normal development is non-apoptotic and implemented by microglia.

Naturally occurring cell death is a fundamental developmental mechanism for regulating cell numbers and sculpting developing organs.

Complement and CD4+ T cells drive context-specific corneal sensory neuropathy.

Whether complement dysregulation directly contributes to the pathogenesis of peripheral nervous system diseases, including sensory neuropathies, is unclear.

PRCD is essential for high-fidelity photoreceptor disc formation.

Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD) is a small protein residing in the light-sensitive disc membranes of the photoreceptor outer segment.

Immune cells in the retina and choroid: Two different tissue environments that require different defenses and surveillance.

In the eye immune defenses must take place in a plethora of differing microenvironments ranging from the corneal and conjunctival epithelia facing the external environment to the pigmented connective tissue of the uveal tract containing smooth mus

Microglial Function Is Distinct in Different Anatomical Locations during Retinal Homeostasis and Degeneration.

Microglia from different nervous system regions are molecularly and anatomically distinct, but whether they also have different functions is unknown.

Fate Mapping In Vivo to Distinguish Bona Fide Microglia Versus Recruited Monocyte-Derived Macrophages in Retinal Disease.

With the new understanding that adult microglia in mice have embryonic origins and are maintained in situ throughout life, it has become pertinent to now understand how these unique cells differ from monocyte-derived macrophages.

Daniel Raphael Saban, PhD

Education and Training

Selected Grants and Awards

Publications

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