Our Science – Dimitrov Website

Dimiter S. Dimitrov, Ph.D.

CCR Nanobiology Program Head, Protein Interaction Group Senior Investigator Building 469, Room 150B NCI-Frederick Frederick, MD 21702-1201 Phone:   301-846-1352 Fax:   301-846-5598 E-Mail:   dimitrov@ncifcrf.gov

Biography

Dr. Dimitrov obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Sofia in 1976, and his Sc.D. in biology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 1984, where he was elected as a professor of biophysics in 1988. He was also a visiting scientist at the Cancer Research Laboratory of Carnegie-Mellon University (Rakesh Jain, 1983-84). He joined NIH in 1990 and received tenure in 1993. His current research focuses on development of human monoclonal antibodies including small engineered antibody fragments (nanoantibodies) and antibody-guided nanoparticles for prevention and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.

Research

Protein Interactions

Protein interactions are important for understanding of biological function, and for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Our research focuses on antibody-antigen and ligand-receptor interactions. We identify novel human monoclonal antibodies, characterize and improve their properties, elucidate their mechanisms of interactions with viruses and cancer-related antigens, investigate antibody-mediated modulation of ligand-receptor interactions, and apply the knowledge gained to solve biomedical problems. Our major long-term goal is to develop antibody-based therapeutics including small engineered antibody fragments (nanoantibodies) and antibody-guided nanoparticles against cancer and viruses. Currently, we identify, engineer and characterize antibodies against components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system and other cancer-related antigens, HIV, and emerging and biodefense-related viruses including Nipah and Hendra viruses. We also study mechanisms of escape from antibody-mediated neutralization of viruses and cancer cells with applications to the development of vaccines and therapeutics against HIV and cancer.

This page was last updated on 7/21/2008.