MUA Faculty Member Collaborates on New Medical Sciences Book
Learn more about Dr. Mamata Srinivasan and her recent contributions to the international field of medicine.
As part of this commitment, we encourage our community members, including MD program students and faculty, to undertake meaningful research projects and contribute their expertise to medical publications that will enrich the field of medicine.
This is why we are so proud to share that Mamata Srinivasan, MBBS, MD, an MUA professor and course director in anatomical sciences, recently contributed a chapter to a new medical sciences book, entitled “The Biological Role of Small Leucine-Rich Proteoglycans (SLRPs) in Matrix Homeostasis and Diseases.”
Dr. Srinivasan’s chapter, “Regulatory Role and Significance of Class III SLRPs: Osteoglycin, Epiphycan and Opticin,” provides a rich examination of the listed small leucine-rich proteoglycans, and demonstrates the knowledge and insights that MUA students gain access to as they pursue their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees at MUA.
In order to provide a more complete picture of this important work, as well as Dr. Srinivasan’s contributions, experiences and motivations, we shared some questions with her and she was generous enough to provide the comprehensive responses below. Read on to learn more!
Please describe the book and how your chapter fits within this area of focus.
The book, “The Biological Role of Small Leucine-Rich Proteoglycans (SLRPs) in Matrix Homeostasis and Diseases,” explores how these molecules regulate the extracellular matrix, influence tissue stability, and contribute to both health and disease. It highlights their roles in collagen organization, cell signaling and pathological processes such as fibrosis, arthritis and cancer, while also pointing to their potential as therapeutic targets.
The book is a resource designed for graduate and postgraduate students, trainees and cross-disciplinary faculty who investigate matrix changes across diverse conditions such as cancer, tumors, cartilage degeneration, renal diseases, skin disorders, musculoskeletal tissue damage and aging. Since SLRPs are ubiquitously present in human tissues and form a vital link between cells and the extracellular matrix, the detailed insights provided are especially valuable for students pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD research degrees. Richly illustrated with figures and supporting graphical analyses, it serves as a practical tool for research-based learning and applies directly to courses in cell and matrix biology, cell biology, undergraduate and graduate medical research, and postgraduate studies focusing on matrix diseases.
Within this broader theme, my chapter, “Regulatory Role and Significance of Class III SLRPs: Osteoglycin, Epiphycan and Opticin,” focuses on a specific subgroup of SLRPs that play specialized roles in cartilage, bone marrow and ocular tissues. It also examines how these molecules maintain matrix homeostasis and how their dysregulation can contribute to disease. Beyond its academic scope, it integrates advances in medical sciences, mechanobiology, life sciences, biological sciences and biomarker research, offering both a teaching resource for basic concepts on SLRPs and a research reference for understanding matrix disease progression.
What sparked your interest in this topic and why did you feel it was important to contribute to this project?
My interest in this topic was first sparked during my residency, when I worked on cartilage regeneration and became deeply fascinated by the role of the extracellular matrix in tissue repair. That early exposure revealed to me that small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are not simply structural molecules, but active regulators of matrix biology.
Later, following my PhD enrollment at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, my research work focused on molecular modulation to arrest neoplastic cell growth in chronic myeloid leukemia. The project involved creating cell lines from patient samples, and recreating bone and marrow-like growth environments to test newer treatments targeting specific proteins fueling cancer cell growth. This experience deepened my appreciation for how matrix regulation influences both healthy and diseased states. Alongside these research endeavors, my involvement in evaluating doctoral theses on related topics exposed me to diverse perspectives and innovative approaches, further enriching my understanding.
Contributing to this book felt especially meaningful because it allowed me to weave together the strands of my journey – teaching, research and mentorship – and highlight the unique regulatory roles of Class III SLRPs. These molecules remain less studied, yet they are critical for matrix homeostasis and disease, and sharing my insights on them felt like both a continuation of my own path and a way to contribute to the broader scientific community.
Moving forward, how do you hope this book will foster new medical outlooks, approaches and actions?
I believe this book has the potential to serve as a catalyst for new medical outlooks by drawing greater attention to the regulatory roles of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) in matrix biology. It highlights how these molecules influence tissue repair, disease progression and cellular environments; the book encourages researchers and clinicians to look beyond traditional structural views of the extracellular matrix and instead see it as a dynamic regulator of health and disease.
My chapter on Class III SLRPs – osteoglycin, epiphycan and opticin – adds to this perspective by focusing on molecules that are less studied but highly relevant to cartilage, bone marrow and ocular tissues. I hope this work can inspire new approaches in regenerative medicine, oncology and degenerative disease research, while also guiding students and young investigators to explore these pathways in their own projects.
Ultimately, I see the book as a bridge between basic science and clinical application, fostering actions that integrate molecular insights into innovative therapies and diagnostic strategies.
What inspired your collaboration with the book’s editor, Polly Lama, PhD?
Dr. Polly Lama was my resident during my tenure at KMC Manipal, and it is deeply gratifying to witness her scholarly leadership in this field today. I had the opportunity to work closely with her through all her seminar presentations, where she was meticulous and embraced the rigors of training. That dedication carried her forward to complete her PhD on “Altered Molecular Matrix & Cellular Functions in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration” at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom (2014), followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship on “Molecular Fragmentation of SLRPs in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis” at McGill University, Montreal, Canada (2018).
When she published her research paper based on her work and shared it with me, we discussed how my own work in cartilage regeneration resonated with her focus, creating a natural point of collaboration. Subsequently, she invited me to evaluate a PhD thesis she was guiding, entitled “Spatial Localization and Immunohistochemical Significance of the Glycoprotein Complex in Degenerated and Non-Degenerated Human Intervertebral Disc.” It was during this period that she invited me to collaborate with her by contributing a chapter that allowed me to share my insights on Class III SLRPs within this important scholarly work.
Are you conducting any follow-up research on this topic?
My work continues to build on the foundation laid through my research on the extracellular matrix and its regulatory molecules, while expanding into new directions that connect matrix biology with regenerative medicine and disease modeling. I am particularly interested in how microenvironments can be recreated or manipulated to support tissue repair and influence disease outcomes, and I maintain an active collaboration to further this line of research.
Alongside these scientific pursuits, I remain engaged with academic initiatives – contributing to research proposals, guiding students in literature reviews and evaluating theses – which keeps me closely connected to emerging ideas and diverse perspectives. In this way, my work represents both a continuation of the SLRP research that has kept my interest kindled, and an expansion into new areas that I hope will inspire fresh approaches in medical science and translational research.
I am also working on initiatives to collaborate with other researchers to foster the integration of advanced technologies into teaching and learning, ensuring that innovation in science is matched by innovation in education.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about the book, your chapter, this collaboration or related findings?
One aspect I would emphasize is how this book not only consolidates current knowledge on small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) but also opens doors for interdisciplinary dialogue. With the rising incidence of connective tissue disorders, age-related degeneration and joint diseases, this topic contributes significantly to the future of medicine – not only by helping us understand normal biological processes but also by advancing diagnosis and paving the way for new treatments.
By situating SLRPs at the intersection of extracellular matrix biology, pathology, and clinical medicine, the book encourages researchers to move beyond traditional structural views and recognize the extracellular matrix as a dynamic regulator of health and disease. My chapter on Class III SLRPs – osteoglycin, epiphycan, and opticin – adds to this perspective by highlighting molecules that are less studied yet highly relevant to cartilage, bone marrow and ocular tissues.
This collaboration beautifully underscores both mentorship and the value of continued scholarly partnership, showing how early guidance during training can evolve into long-term academic collaboration. It reflects my personal research journey as well as the collaborative spirit that brought diverse perspectives together in this volume.
What excites me most is that the book serves not only as a reference for established researchers but also as a teaching resource for students, offering figures, analyses and conceptual frameworks to guide the next generation of scientists. In that sense, the collaboration and findings presented here are more than academic – they highlight how mentorship can mature into enduring partnerships, where shared interests in matrix biology create opportunities to build knowledge together. This cycle of learning and teaching strengthens scientific inquiry and inspires new directions in research and education.