Brief Biography: Dr. Dheer Singh is a distinguished Biochemist, Fellow of National Academy of Sciences (FNASc) and Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India. He received M.Sc. and Ph.D degree in Biochemistry from Lucknow University & National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Deemed University at Karnal (Haryana) in India, respectively. During his doctoral degree, selected as Agricultural Research Scientist (ARS) and joined Animal Biochemistry Division at NDRI as scientist and subsequently promoted to Principal Scientist and currently joined as Head, Animal Biochemistry Division. Awarded BOYSCAST (Better opportunity for young scientist in chosen area of science and technology) fellowship from Department of science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India to pursue higher study abroad and worked in Department of Cell Biology and Developmental and Anatomy at School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, USA in the area of transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic genes. Visiting scholar of School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA and worked Identification of novel endocrine genes using DNA microarray, computational tools and RNAi in functional analysis of genes in granulosa cells. Life member of prominent professional National scientific societies namely, SBC, India, ISSRF, ISCB etc. and currently, I am convener, SBC (I) Karnal Chapter. During his research career of more than 25 years, he has supervised 18 Masters and 18 Ph.D students. Handled more than 25 research project funded by various funding agencies including Indo-German joint collaborative project (DST-DFG & DST-DAAD) on epigenetic regulation of genes. Published more than 90 research papers in peer reviewed International Journals, apart from delivering more than 50 invited lectures both in India and abroad. Major focus of research of his lab is 1) Identification and analysis of the transcriptional regulation of selected trait-affecting (e.g. fertility) genes. 2) Application of miRNA & RNA interference tools for livestock functional genomics, 3) Epigenetic regulation of gene expression, 4) Exosome Biology and 5) Development of nanobiosensor.

Major Professional Awards/ Recognitions /Fellowships

• Fellow of National Academy of science, India (FNASc)
 
• Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India
 
• Fellow, National Academy of Dairy Sciences of India (FNADS)
 
• N.R. Moudgal Oration award for outstanding contribution in research in Reproductive Heath by Indian Society for Study in Reproduction and fertility (ISSRF)
 
• Chellappa Oration award 2014 by Indian Society of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology for outstanding contribution in Animal & Veterinary Sciences
 
• Labhsetwar Award 2013 for outstanding contribution in research in Reproductive Heath by Indian Society for Study in Reproduction and fertility (ISSRF)
 
• BOYSCAST fellowship award, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. Of India
 
• 11th AJAS/CAPI Outstanding Research Award by Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (AAAP)
 
• 9th AJAS/CAPI Outstanding Research Award by Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (AAAP)
 
• SAB Eminent Biotechnology Award by Society of Applied Biotechnology, India
 
• FSAB (Fellow of Society of Applied Biotechnology).

Specific areas of Research Interest and accomplishment

• Identification and analysis of the genetic and epigenetic regulation of selected fertility related genes by functional genomics: It is well known that estrogens play key roles in the reproduction. Aromatase is the key enzyme encoded by the CYP19A1 More than a decade of my research explored the molecular biology of the CYP19 gene by uncovering its gene sequence and transcriptional regulation during physiological and pathological conditions like normal physiological ovarian cycles, pregnancy and infections in bovine model.
 
• Elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the ovarian and uterine cellular dysfunction during the infertility associated with postpartum uterine infection: Uterine infection after parturition is one of the most common endemic diseases in almost all mammals leading to infertility by disrupting uterine and ovarian functions. Using metagenomics approaches, a microorganism associated with uterine diseases was identified and developed a PCR based detection method (Patent application No. 806/DEL/2016 & Published for examination). In addition, the molecular mechanism leading to the down regulation of aromatase gene by lipopolysaccharide was elucidated, and this downregulation was limited by IGF-1 via the activation of phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase/AKT. These findings are of practical relevance to manage the compromised follicular development by nutrition to maintain the circulating IGF1 concentrations during postpartum.
 
• Development of nano-biosensor for ovulation prediction: An efficient method for detecting ovulation will contribute to improved fertility both in human and animals. Although, several ovulation prediction kits are available for women, such kits are limited for animals. For example, ovulation and pregnancy detection are of labor-intensive and skill based in animals. Recently, a peptide-based antibody against Luteinizing hormone has been developed (applied for patent Application 1854/DEL/2015 & published for examination) for developing an easy and affordable lateral flow strip based nano-biosensor for estrus detection at farmers’ doors for timely AI to improve conception.
 
• Cell based biosensor development: We developed 3-dimensional cell culture systems for granulosa cells to better perform reproductive toxicology studies. Similarly, our studies on 3D culture systems of liver cells and intestinal cells would be helpful for toxicological evaluation of food as food is one of the major environmental factors affecting the reproduction.
 
• Smart delivery systems using natural nanoparticle (exosome): Milk is the natural food. In addition to nutrients, it contains the natural nanoparticles called exosomes, which act as smart delivery vehicles. Hence, milk exosomes can be used to deliver the therapeutic molecules for treating infertility. Our studies characterized cow and buffalo milk exosomes and proved that curcumin encapsulated in milk exosomes is resistant to human digestive processes and bioavailable for the uptake by the granulosa cells in vitro. In addition, we have also demonstrated that non-invasive bio-fluid exosomes miRNA would be next –generation potential biomarkers of various reproductive problems/diseases as well as drugs/nutraceuticals delivery for therapeutics.

List of important papers

1. Nayan, V., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2021). Epitope-based in silico peptide design yields peptide-directed antibodies that recognize the buffalo luteinizing hormone. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.083,
2. Rani, P., Yenuganti, V. R., Shandilya, S., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2017). miRNAs: The hidden bioactive component of milk. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 65, 94-102.
3. Shandilya, S., Rani, P., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2017). siRNA in milk exosomes is resistant to digestion and cross intestinal barrier in vitro. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(43), 9506-9513.
4. Shri, M., Agrawal, H., Rani, P., Singh, D., & Onteru, S. K. (2017). Hanging Drop, A Best Three-Dimensional (3D) Culture Method for Primary Buffalo and Sheep Hepatocytes. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1203.
5. Chaurasiya V, Kumari S, Onteru SK, Singh D (2020). miR-326 down-regulate CYP19A1 expression and estradiol-17b production in buffalo granulosa cells through CREB and C/EBP-β, Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 199, 105608
6. Monga R, Ghai S,Datta TK and Singh D (2012). Involvement of transcription factor GATA-4 in regulation of CYP19 gene during folliculogenesis and luteinization in buffalo ovary.  Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 130(1-2):45-56.
7. Sunita,, Singh, P. K., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2018). Histone deacetylase: A potential therapeutic target for ovarian dysfunction. Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition), 23, 512.
8. Sharma, D., Golla, N., Singh, S., Singh, P. K., Singh, D., & Onteru, S. K (2019) An efficient method for extracting next‐generation sequencing quality RNA from liver tissue of recalcitrant animal species. Journal of cellular physiology. Jan 29.
9. Golla, N., Chopra, A., Boya, S., Kumar, T. V. C., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. High serum free fatty acids and low leptin levels: Plausible metabolic indicators of negative energy balance in early lactating Murrah buffaloes. Journal of cellular physiology. 2019. Jun;234(6):7725-773
10. Baddela, V. S., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2017). A syntenic locus on buffalo chromosome 20: novel genomic hotspot for miRNAs involved in follicular-luteal transition. Functional & integrative genomics, 17 (2-3), 321-334.
11. Chaurasiya, V., Kumari, S., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2020). miR-326 down-regulate CYP19A1 expression and estradiol-17b production in buffalo granulosa cells through CREB and C/EBP-β. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 199, 105608.
12. Mehta A, Ravinder, Onteru SK, Singh D (2015) HDAC inhibitor prevents LPS mediated inhibition of CYP19A1 expression and 17β-estradiol production in granulosa cells. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 414, 73-81.
13. Rani, P., Vashisht, M., Golla, N., Shandilya, S., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2017). Milk miRNAs encapsulated in exosomes are stable to human digestion and permeable to intestinal barrier in vitro. Journal of Functional Foods, 34, 431-439.
14. Chaurasiya V, Kumari S, Onteru SK, Singh D. (2020) Up-regulation of miR-326 regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines targeting TLR-4 in buffalo granulosa cells. Molecular Immunology, 119, 154-158.
15. K Onnureddy, SK Onteru, D Singh (2015) IGF-1 attenuates LPS induced pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) granulosa cells. Molecular immunology 64 (1), 136-143.
16. Sharma I and Singh D (2012) Conjugated linoleic acids attenuate FSH and IGF-1 stimulated cell proliferation, IGF-1, GATA-4, aromatase expression and oestradiol-17β production in buffalo granulosa cells involving PPARγ, PTEN and PI3K/Akt. Reproduction, 144 373–383.
17. Rani, P., Onteru, S. K., & Singh, D. (2020). Genome-wide profiling and analysis of microRNA expression in buffalo milk exosomes. Food Bioscience, 38, 100769.
18. Vashisht, M., Rani, P., Sunita., Kumar Onteru, S., & Singh, D. (2017). Curcumin primed exosomes reverses LPS induced pro inflammatory gene expression in buffalo granulosa cells. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Feb;119 (2):1488-1500.
19. VR Yenuganti, R Ravinder, D Singh (2015) Conjugated Linoleic Acids Attenuate LPS‐Induced Pro‐Inflammatory Gene Expression by Inhibiting the NF‐κB Translocation through PPARγ in Buffalo Granulosa Cells. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 72 (3), 296-304.
20. Holly A. LaVoie, Dheer Singh and Yyonne Y. Hui (2004) Concerted Regulation of the Porcine steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Gene Promoter Activity by Follicle-Stimulating Hormones and Insulin-Like Growth Factors I in Granulosa cells Involves GATA-4 and CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein-beta. Endocrinology, 145 (7) 3122-3134.