Dr. Gibson’s Lab

Research focus

The Gibson laboratory is interested in (1) epithelial regeneration in burn injury, (2) evaluation of skin substitutes for burn injury, (3) human skin model development for wound healing, and (4) understanding the burn wound microenvironment.

As a surgeon scientist, trained in burn surgery and cellular and molecular biology of wound healing, Dr. Gibson continues to be fascinated by the human response at cellular and molecular and tissue levels to injury and wound repair.  She has maintained close involvement in the research and development of a human skin substitute for use on burn patients including clinical trial design, patient enrollment, and data interpretation. These experiences have led to research questions on the role of autologous regeneration in human burn wound healing. Specifically, the Gibson lab is interested in the minimal cellular elements and wound environmental conditions necessary for autologous regeneration to proceed in a normal fashion.

The Gibson lab aims to conduct basic wound healing research that will translate into clinical advancements for patients with burn injury. The long-term goal of the Gibson laboratory is to identify the basic cellular and micro-environmental requirements for autologous burn wound regeneration in humans, in order to aid development of technologies and biologic products that will improve morbidity and mortality in burn injury.