Norman J. Karin, Ph.D.
Expertise
Norm Karin
Dr. Karin is interested in the mechanisms by which growth factors and physical stimuli generate intracellular signals that regulate the function of bone cells. Among the goals of this research is to determine the mechanisms by which bioactive lipids, such as lysophosphatidic acid, trigger migration and altered gene expression in bone-forming osteoblast cells, particularly in the context of fracture healing and pathological inflammation. These studies employ a variety of experimental approaches, including genomic and proteomic analysis of mammalian bone cells; fluorescent dyes to measure intracellular free calcium levels; molecular cloning, manipulation and expression of DNA in cultured cell systems; and live cell imaging. Dr. Karin previously held faculty and administrative positions at the University of Texas and the University of Delaware.
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 1985-1988
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 1983-1984
- Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1983
- M.S., Biology, State University of New York, College at Fredonia, 1978
- B.S., Biology, State University of New York, College at Fredonia, 1976
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Alumnus Award, State University of New York, College at Fredonia, 1996
- John P. McGovern Outstanding Teacher Award: University of Texas-Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1994
- Dean's Teaching Excellence Award, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 1992
- Basil O'Connor Research Award, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1990
Professional Affiliations
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2004
- Member, Cellular Physiology and Pharmacology 2 Study Section, American Heart Association, 2002-2003
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, Signal Transduction and Cellular Regulation Program, National Science Foundation, 2002-2003
- Ad hoc member, Oral Biomaterials 2 Study Section, National Institutes of Health, 2000
- Member, Cell Biology & Immunology Panel, Predoctoral Fellowships Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1998-2000
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, Veterans Affairs Grant program, 1995
- Member, Cell Physiology Study Section, American Heart Association-Texas Affiliate, 1992-1995
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, North Carolina Biotechnology Center Grant, 1991
Selected Publications
Karagiosis SA, and NJ Karin. 2007. "Lysophosphatidic acid induces osteocyte dendrite outgrowth." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 357(1):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.03.121
Waters KM, R Tan, DC Genetos, S Verma, CE Yellowley, and NJ Karin. 2007. "DNA microarray analysis reveals a role for lysophosphatidic acid in the regulation of anti-inflammatory genes in MC3T3-E1 cells." Bone. [In Press]
Fotos JS, Patel VP, Karin NJ, Koh JT, Temburni MK, Galileo DS. 2006. "Automated time-lapse microscopy and high-resolution tracking of cell migration." Cytotechnology. Vol 51, issue 1, pp. 7-19.
Masiello LM, Fotos JS, Galileo DS, Karin NJ. 2006. "Lysophosphatidic acid induces chemotaxis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells." Bone. Vol 39, issue no.1, pp. 72-82.