2nd International Meet on Advanced Studies on Cell Signaling Network (CeSiN 2014)

Matrix Biology Laboratory:

 

Matrix biology Laboratory has been working on the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, head and neck cancers, ovarian cancer and endometriosis under the supervision of Dr. Snehasikta Swanakar since 2002 at CSIR-IICB.

 

In vivo model for induction of gastric ulcers by administration of indomethacin or ethanol or Helicobacter pylori (Hp) has been developed in this laboratory. The studies have provided new insight into association of MMP-9 and -3 upregulation with severity of gastric ulceration, gastric cancers as well as other disease models. This lab has demonstrated MMP-9 induction as common ancestral pathway for cag+ve and cag –ve Hp infection in mouse gastric tissues and MMP-9 dependent pathway as an alternative mechanism for cag–ve Hp. Thus, MMP-9 and -3 could be useful marker for diagnosis and management of gastric injury.

 

Matrix biology laboratory developed excellent animal models for gastrointestinal disorder and endometriosis which are very significant to validate the action of drug/chemical compound in humans. Also, the domain of research of curcumin’s action on MMP-2 and angiogenesis during gastric ulcer healing is highly cited.

 

The laboratory has recently also opened new horizon on the biochemical mechanism of nano-encapsulated antioxidants against gastric inflammation via MMP-mediated pathway. My research work on MMPs in gastric pathogenesis and endometriosis is a new paradigm shift and seminal work in inflammation biology field.