Carolyn W. Gibson, PhD

Professor
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

Education

• Temple University School of Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, PhD, 1982
• Rutgers University, Biology, BA, 1978

Honors/Credentials

• Distinguished Scientist Award for Research in Oral Biology, International Association for Dental Research, 2005
• William J. Gies Award in Biological Research, International Association for Dental Research, 2008

Research Interests

Dr. Gibson’s research is focused on the regulation of dental enamel formation, by studying the in vivo function of proteins that are secreted by ameloblasts and direct the mineralization of dental enamel. She has cloned and characterized human, murine and bovine amelogenin genes, and has analyzed expression and alternative splicing of amelogenin RNA. Her lab has studied several families with the enamel defect amelogenesis imperfecta in order to determine the mutations within their amelogenin genes that led to this condition. She has generated transgenic mice for studies of expression and function of the amelogenins, including a mouse strain with a null mutation in the amelogenin gene, which has a condition similar to human X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta. A secondary focus is the effect of sodium fluoride on the actin cytoskeleton, and the role of G-proteins in this response. Dr. Gibson’s primary teaching responsibility is as Course Director for Histology and Embryology for first-year dental students.

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