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Singh, Mahipal

Department: 
Agricultural Research
Location: 
Stallworth Building
Phone: 
(478) 825-6810
Email: 
singhm@fvsu.edu
Fax: 
(478) 825-6821

a. Academic Appointments:
2007-todate Assistant Professor of Animal Science/Molecular Biology, Fort Valley State University
2004-2007 Research Assistant Professor, Univ. of Illinois, & Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago
2001-2003 Adjunct Biology & MPH Faculty & Research Associate, Fort Valley State University
1995-2000 Scientist “B” (1995-97); Scientist “C” (1997-2000), Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India
1993-1995 Pool Officer, Center for Molecular Biology, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
1991 1993 International Visiting Fellow, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD
1989-1991 Post Doctoral Fellow, Infectious Diseases, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

b. Courses taught:
• ANSC-6253-Molecular Endocrinology
• ANSC-2813-Animal Biotechnology
• ANSC-4841-Animal Science Seminar
• BIOT- 5434-Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics (team taught)
• ANSC 5123-Physiological Chemistry II (team taught)
• BIOL 5334-Environmental Microbiology, MPH graduate course

c. Honors/Awards:
Fogarty International Visiting Fellowship, NIH, Bethesda (1991-93); Senior (1987-89), Junior (1984-86) Research Fellowship of Council of Scientific & Industrial Res., Govt. of India; Junior Research Fellowship, University Grants Commission, Govt. of India (1983-84); All India Science Essay Contest Winner (4th Prize), Competition Success Review (1978); National Merit Scholarship, Govt. of Utter Pradesh, India (1976-78); Editorial Board [Journal of Biotech Research (2008-todate]; Grant Reviewer [Ad Hoc Reviewer USDA-NIFA-SBIR & USDA-NIFA-BRAG programs (since 2010)]; Journal Reviewer [Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry (2003-todate), Small Ruminant Research (2007-todate)]; Coordinator, Monthly Research Seminars, College of Agriculture, FVSU (since Nov. 2008); Committees [Ad hoc member, Animal Science and Biotechnology Graduate Admissions Councils (since 2008), Animal Science PhD Program Exploratory Committee (2010-11)]; Society Member [American Society of Animal Science, Society for the Study of Reproduction, Indian Science Congress, Society for In Vitro Biology]. Science Presentation Judge [ARD Symposiums, K12 Science Fairs of Houston County Schools (since 2008)].

Faculty Bio
Education: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Zoology-Microbiology - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India (1989)

Master of Science: Zoology - Institute of Advanced Studies, Meerut University Meerut, India (1983)

Bachelor of Science (Honors): Zoology, Botany and Chemistry - Meerut College Meerut, Meerut University, India (1978)

Publications: 

• Singh, M; X. Ma & A. Sharma. Effect of postmortem time interval on in vitro culture potential of goat skin tissues stored at room temperature. In Vitro Cell and Developmental Biology-Animal. (2012) 48: 478-482 (DOI: 10.1007/s11626-012-9539-3)
• Singh, M; X Ma, E Amoah and G Kannan. In vitro culture of fibroblast-like cells from postmortem skin of Katahdin sheep stored at 4 degree C for different time intervals. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol.-Animal. (2011) 47(4):290-93.
• Singh, M; AK Sharma & P Yadav. Characterization of GSF289: a fibroblast cell line derived from goat ear skin explants. Journal of Biotech Research. (2011) 3: 1-6.
• Singh, M & A Sharma. Outgrowth of fibroblast cells from goat skin explants in three different culture media and the establishment of cell lines. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol.-Animal. (2011) 47 (10): 83-88.
• Ahmad, I; MSA Khan, F Aqil & M Singh*. Microbial applications in agriculture and the environment: a broad perspective. (2011) p.1-27. (doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7931-5_1) In: Iqbal Ahmad, F. Ahmad & J. Pichtel. Eds. Microbes and Microbial Technology: Agriculture and Environmental Applications; Springer New York, copyrighted 2011 (*Corresponding author)
• Ahmad, I; MSA Khan, FM Husain, M Zahin & M Singh. Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Its Interference: Methods and Significance. (2011) p127-161. (doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7931-5_6) In: Iqbal Ahmad, A. Ahmad and J. Pichtel. Eds. Microbes and Microbial Technology: Agricultural and Environmental Applications; Springer New York, copyrighted 2011.
• Singh, M; A Sharma; X Ma; E Amoah & G Kannan. Construction of a goat myostatin gene promoter-GFP translational fusion to study promoter regulation. J. Anim. Sci. (2010) 88 (E-Suppl.3): 8. (Abstr.)
• Lavelle, D; Y Saunthararajah; K Vaitkus; M Singh; V Banzon; P Phiasivongsva; S Redkar; S Kanekal; D Bearss; C Shi; R Inloes & J DeSimone. S110, a novel decitabine dinucleotide, increases fetal hemoglobin levels in baboons (P. Anubis). Journal of Translational Medicine (2010) 8:92 (DOI:10.1186/1479-5876-8-92)
• Singh, M; AS Yadav; X Ma & E Amoah. Plasmid DNA transformation in Escherichia Coli: effect of heat shock temperature, duration, and cold incubation of CaCl2 treated cells. International J. of Biotech & Biochem. (2010) 6(4):561–568.
• $Chin, J; $M Singh; V Banzon; M Hankewych; T Kousnetzova; V Ibanez; J DeSimone & D Lavelle. Transcriptional activation of the gamma-globin gene in baboons treated with decitabine and in cultured erythroid progenitor cells involves different mechanisms. Experimental Hematol. (2009) 37(10):1151-1142 ($ equal contribution by Drs. Chin and Singh)
• Singh, M & B Dhiman. Construction and characterization of a gene-targeting plasmid DNA vector in Nicotiana tabacum. Journal of Biotech Res. (2009) 1: 13-20.
• Lavelle, D; J Chin; K Vaitkus; S Redkar; T Chunlin; M Hankewych; M Singh; Y Saunthararajah & J DeSimone. Oral decitabine mesylate reactivates expression of the methylated γ-globin gene in Papio anubis. Amer J. of Hematol. (2007) 82(11): 981-985.
• Singh, M; K Vaitkus; M Hankewych; D Lavelle; N Mahmud & J DeSimone. The γ-globin gene promoter progressively demethylates as the heamatopoietic stem progenitor cells differentiate along the erythroid-lineage in baboon fetal liver and adult bone marrow. Experimental Hematol. (2007) 35: 48-55.
• Lavelle, D; K Vaitkus; M Hankewych; M Singh & J DeSimone. Developmental changes in DNA methylation and covalent histone modifications of chromatin associated with the ε-, γ- and β-globin gene promoters in Papio anubis. Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases (2006) 36(2): 269-278.
• Lavelle, D; K Vaitkus; M Hankewych; M Singh & J DeSimone. Effect of 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Decogen) on covalent histone modifications of chromatin associated with the ε-, γ- and β-globin promoters in Papio anubis. Experimental Hematol. (2006) 34: 339-347.
• *Dhiman, B & M Singh. Molecular detection of Cashew husk (Anacardium occidentale) adulteration in market samples of dry tea (Camellia sinensis). Planta Medica (2003) 69: 882-884.
• Singh, D & M Singh. Organization of 5S ribosomal RNA genes in Camellia sinensis (tea). Genome (2001) 44(1): 143-146.
• Singh, M & C Sharma. Detection of plasmid-encoded gusA gene in a GUS positive Escherichia coli. BioTechniques (1999) 26(2): 261 264.
• Singh, M. Mammalian cloning: implications on our society. Indian Vet Med J. (1998) 22(2): 133 135.
• Singh, M. Hematological responses of a fresh water teleost Channa punctatus to experimental copper and chromium poisoning. J Environ Biol. (1995) 16(4): 339 341.
• Woodgate, R; M Singh; OI Kulaeva; EG Frank; AS Levine & WH Koch. Isolation and characterization of novel plasmid-encoded umuC mutants. J. Bacteriol. (1994) 176(16): 5011 5021.
• Singh, M; SC Sanyal; MA Choudhary & JNS Yadav. Plasmid-mediated drug-resistance in veterinary and human isolates of Escherichia coil: A potential threat to human and veterinary medicine. Indian Vet Med J. (1994) 18(3): 131 141.
• Singh, M & JNS Yadav. Evidence of a 35.8 x 108 Dalton Ent R plasmid in Escherichia coli isolated from human urinary-tract infection. Indian Vet Med J. (1992) 16(1): 51 53.
• Singh, M; JNS Yadav & SC Sanyal. Enterotoxigenic drug-resistant plasmids in animal isolates of Escherichia coli and their zoonotic importance. J Trop Med Hyg. (1992) 95(5): 316 321.
• Singh, M & JNS Yadav. Are the oxytetracycline and doxycycline resistance genes different? Indian Vet Med J. (1992) 16(1): 82-86.
• Singh, M; MA Choudhry; JNS Yadav & SC Sanyal. The spectrum of antibiotic-resistance in human and veterinary isolates of Escherichia coli collected from 1984 86 in Northern India. J Antimicrobial Chem. (1992) 29: 159 168.
• Singh, M & JF John. Isomeric DNA ladder formation of a plasmid encoding tobramycin resistance in Escherichia coli. J Antimicrobial Chem. (1991) 28(5): 627 637.
• Singh, M; MA Choudhry & JNS Yadav. Drug-resistance and colicin production among various serotypes of Escherichia coli of animal origin. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. (1989) 32(3): 161 166.
• Choudhry, MA; M Singh & JNS Yadav. Critical concentration of lincomycin and polymixin B in Biken Assay for detection of heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli. Lett Appl Microbiol. (1988) 7: 123 125.
• Singh, M & JNS Yadav. Effect of acridinium ions on the curing of R plasmids. Indian J Exp Biol. (1988) 26(10): 668 670.
• Ahmad, M; JNS Yadav & M Singh. Enterotoxigenicity and antibiotic-resistance behavior of Escherichia coli of animal origin. Indian J Med Res. (1988) 83(3): 466 472.
• Yadav, JNS; M Ahmad & M Singh. Prevalence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the clinical isolates of human beings and domestic animals. Indian J Animal Sci. (1988) 58(5): 428 430.
• Yadav, JNS & M Singh. Genetic stability of various R factors among the clinical isolates of Escherichia coli under normal laboratory conditions. Indian Vet Med J. (1985) 9(3): 123 131.
• Singh, M & VP Agarwal. Lanasyn dark-violet induced heamatochemical anomalies in a teleost Heteropneustes fossilis. J Agri Biol Res. (1985) 1(1): 16 19.
• Singh, M; AK Awasthi & VP Agarwal. Lanasyn dark-violet induced enzymological probes in the liver and kidney of a fresh water teleost Heteropneustes fossilis. Indian Vet Med J. (1985) 9(3): 163 165.

Patents:
• Singh, M; C Sharma & B Lal. (2001). Species-specific DNA sequences and their utilization for identification of Viola species and in detection of adulteration in a medicinal herb “banafsha”. US patent no: 6465637.
• Singh, M & B Dhiman. (2001). Species-specific genomic DNA sequences for identification of Anacardium occidentale and the method for their utilization in detection of adulteration of cashew husk in tea samples. US patent no: 6541624.

Research Interests: 

Current research in my lab is focused on myostatin (MSTN) gene and its role in muscle development in small ruminants. MSTN gene product, also known as growth differentiation factor (GDF8) is a member of the TGF-beta family of secreted proteins and is shown to be involved in suppressing muscle development in most animal species. Mutations in MSTN gene are known to be associated with double-muscling in cattle. Attempts to knock-out or block the expression of MSTN gene have resulted in enhanced muscular mass without any adverse noticeable effects in mice. This research area has gained considerable interest in recent years due to its potential in the treatment of muscular dystrophy in humans and in enhancing meat production in agriculture. Our ultimate goal is to enhance muscular mass (meat) in goats by genetic manipulation of MSTN gene. Our current study areas include a) promoter regulation of MSTN gene, b) MSTN gene-targeting to produce knock-out goats, c) iPS cell development, d) post-mortem culturability of animal cells and, d) goat genomics including molecular marker development for animal breeding. We utilize molecular biological, reproductive, surgical and cell culture methods in our research to achieve these objectives. Our recent achievements include construction of a goat MSTN promoter-GFP reporter fusion plasmid, which is being studied in in-vitro cultures. We have also established and characterized 3 fibroblast cell lines from goat tissues which are being used in studies in the lab. In addition we have recently initiated studies on post-mortem conservation of superior animal genetics at cellular level and demonstrated that fibroblast-like cells can be cultured from sheep tissues stored in regular refrigerator even upto 56 hours post-mortem. The morphology and growth characteristics of these cells were comparable to controls. These results are relevant for post-mortem tissue preservation for conserving desired genetics for cloning the lost animal in future as well as for tissue transplantation.

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