Monica Prasad Gibson

Biography

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Biomedical Science Master of Science (MSc) Periodontics General Practice Residency (GPR) Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Awards & Honours Pauline C. Wittwer Graduate Fellowship in Dentistry Award Finalist in the Midwest Society of Periodontology Research Competition Finalist in the American Association of Dental Research Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Hatton Awards Competition Certificate of Excellence awarded in the State of Karnataka in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics

Research Interest

Dr. Gibson’s research is focused on a member of non-collagenous proteins, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). DSPP is an extracellular matrix protein that plays a vital role in the formation and mineralization of dentin and supporting periodontal tissues. DSPP is a large protein that undergoes proteolytic processing to form the NH2-terminal fragment [dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and its proteoglycan form (DSP-PG)] and COOH-terminal fragment [dentin phosphoprotein (DPP)]. The importance of DSPP in dentinogenesis is supported by experiments showing association of mutations in the DSPP gene with human dentinogenesis imperfecta. While studies have demonstrated the critical role of DSPP in dentin formation, mechanisms by which DSPP functions in biomineralization remained largely unclear. Dr. Gibson’s research has been a comprehensive effort to outline the function of this protein and its cleaved fragments. She presented this work as a finalist at the American Association of Dental Research (AADR) Hatton awards. Additionally, during the course of her research, she have been able to create a successful animal model to replicate periodontitis disease process.