• Dr. Ajay Kumar Dang
    Principal Scientist

    Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, ICAR-NDRI, Karna

    • Current Research Area
      We are working on immune cells particularly phagocytes, their role in tissue remodelling, wound healing, maintaining homeostasis during parturition, expulsion of placenta, metritis and mastitis. We discovered that neutrophils are capable of detecting the presence of an implanting embryo in the female reproductive tract. We are studying the role played by colostrum cells in host defense system of neonate calves. Studies are ongoing under field conditions for evaluating milk somatic cells to improve milk quality and mammary health. Our findings have tremendous potential in developing novel therapeutic approaches for immunocompromised animals. Have organized National Workshop on Immunophysiology and supervised 12 Masters and 6 Doctorate student projects (including 2 International students).

    Google Scholar Link: ORCID 0000-0002-7306-5302

    https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XYNwpKoAAAAJ&hl=hi

    Training undergone:

     

    S.

     

    No.

    		 Name of course Organization Duration Nature of course
    1.       Refresher course in recent advances in Agricultural research project management NAARM, Hyderabad (21 days)

     

    18th Sept, 2002 to 08 Oct., 2002

    		 Research project management cycle, Monitoring and Evaluations of research projects, Impact assessment of agricultural research
    2.       Recent Advances in Expression Genomic Techniques. NDRI, Karnal (21 days) Feb. 20th to March 12th 2007. Extraction of RNA and gene expression studies
    3.       Advance training under DST-DAAD project Technical University Munich, Germany (30 days) 14th Oct. 2009 – 12th Nov.  2009 Mechanisms of cholesterol transfer into milk-a comparative gene expression and metabolism study in buffaloes and cattle.
    4.       Advance training under DST-DAAD project Technical University Munich, Germany (30 days) 5th Oct. 2010 – 3rd  Nov. 2010 Isolation and culture of mammary epithelial cells

    Externally funded projects:

    S. No Title of Project Funding

     

    Agency

    		 Role
    1. Modulating the immune-cellular components and their signalling molecules in bovine colostrum and milk after micro-nutrient interventions and their functional validation under ex-vivo, in vivo animal models DBT P.I.
    2. Neutrophils as potential biomarkers/ predictors  of  early  pregnancy in cows DBT P.I.
    3. Assessment of early pregnancy by analysis of neutrophil  dynamics and gene expression in dairy cattle DBT P.I.
    4. Molecular basis for modulation of immunocompetence of neutrophilic function in vivo and in vitro of high producing cows and buffaloes peripartum DBT P.I.
    5. Whole genome based SNP mining and development of breed signatures for dairy and dual-purpose indigenous cattle DBT CCPI
    6. Development of Phytopharmaceutical product for Bovine Mastitis CSIR-DBT CCPI
    7. Applications of probiotics in alleviating allergic responses and  immunosenescence DBT Co-PI
    8. Cloning, expression and functional characterization of a mammary gland protein MGP-40 expressed during involution and exploring its potential as a prognostic mammary biomarker in farm animals DBT Co-PI
    9. Analysis of mammary gland transcriptome and proteome during lactation and involution in indigenous cattle and buffalo for identification of probable mammary biomarkers NAIP

     

     

    		 Co-PI
    10. Mechanisms of cholesterol transfer into milk-a comparative gene expression and metabolism study in buffalo and cattle DST-DAAD Co-PI
    11. Role of probiotic lactobacilli in modulation of intestinal epithelium mediated barrier functions and immune signals DBT Co-PI
    12. Confirmation of lactation performance and safety of dairy animals of Bos species treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) Consultancy

     

    (ELANCO)

    		 Co-PI
    13. Testing Jeevan  Pashudhan (Penergetic  T), Jeevan Pashudhan Ultra (Penergetic M) for improved immunity, prevention of mastitis in dairy animals Consultancy

     

    (PANERGETIC)

    		 Co-PI

     Awards:

    Sr. No. Name of Award Year Awarding Body
    1.       Young Scientist Award

     

    (Ph.D. student)

    		 2021 SAPICON 2021 (25-26 February, 2021) Bihar Veterinary College, Patna
    2.       2nd Best Oral Paper Presentation Award 2020 National Conference held at Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur during February 4-6, 2020.
    3.       Dr. (Mrs.) Mridula Kamboj Young Scientist  Best Doctoral Thesis Award to Ph.D. Student 2019 9th Annual Meeting of the ISSRF held at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110067
    4.       J.N.Pandey Memorial Best poster award 2018 Society of Animal Physiologists of India (SAPI) Conference, 2018
    5.       Best research paper award 2018 SAPI Conference, 2018
    6.       SC Sood Memorial Best Doctoral Thesis Award to Ph.D. Student 2018 SAPI Conference, 2018
    7.       Second  prize for best paper and

     

    Rs. 3000/-

    		 2017 45th Dairy Industry Conference held at Mumbai by Indian Dairy Association (IDA)
    8.       J.N.Pandey Memorial Best poster award for best Poster SAPI- (Mhow) 2016 SAPI Conference, 2016
    9.       Best Master’s thesis award in the Production group to Master’s student 2015 ICAR-NDRI, Karnal
    10.   Best Research Paper Award 2014 2nd Annual Meeting of Society of Veterinary Science and Biotechnology
    11.   Best  Poster  Paper  Award 2014 9th  National Convention of Indian Dairy  Engineers Association  (IDEA)
    12.   Kamala Madan Young Scientist Best Doctoral Thesis Award to Ph.D. Student 2014 SAPI Conference, 2014
    13.   Best  Poster  Paper  Award 2013 2nd National  IAVNAW Conference, Jammu
    14.   Best poster paper 2007 International Conference on Dairy Foods, NDRI, Karnal
    15.   First prize for Technical Bulletin in Hindi 2005 ICAR-NDRI, Karnal
    16.   Second Prize for Best Paper 2005 Indian Dairy Assoc.,New Delhi
    17.   Dr. D.N. Mullick Memorial Award 2002 Alumni Association, NDRI, Karnal
    18.   Dr. P.K. Dwarkanath Young Scientists Memorial Award 2002 Alumni Association, NDRI, Karnal
    19.   Dr. D. Sunderasen Memorial Award 2002 Alumni Association, NDRI, Karnal

     Consultancy provided:

    Estimation of Total immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA and IgM in dry milk colostrums powders to Supreme Dairy Farm, Mumbai and Merck, Ltd., Worli, Mumbai. Training on estimation of milk SCC provided to Gopal Jee Dairy Foods, VRS Foods Limited, PARAS Dairies.

    Research papers published (Ten best publications of last 5 years):

    • Alhussien, M.N., Tiwari, S., Panda, B.K., Pandey, Y., Lathwal, S.S. and Dang, A.K. (2021) Supplementation of antioxidant micronutrients reduces stress and improves immune function/response in periparturient dairy cows and their calves.Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, p.126718. (NAAS rating 2021: 9.25)
      •  
    • Alhussien, M.N. and Dang, A.K. (2020)Sensitive and rapid lateral-flow assay for early detection of subclinical mammary infection in dairy cows. Scientific Reports,10(1), p.11161. (NAAS rating 2021: 10.00)
      •  
    • Panda, B.S., Mohapatra, S.K., Chaudhary, D., Alhussien, M.N., Kapila, R. and Dang, A.K. (2020) Proteomics and transcriptomics study reveals the utility of ISGs as novel molecules for early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 140, p.103148. (NAAS rating 2021: 10.02)
      •  
    • Mohapatra, S.K., Panda, B.S., Verma, A.K., Kapila, R. and Dang, A.K. (2020) Implantation associated changes in expression profile of indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1, Th1-Th2 cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes on neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of crossbred cows. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 142, p.103188. (NAAS rating 2021: 10.02)
      •  
    • Panda, B.S., Mohapatra, S.K., Verma, A.K., Kamboj, A., Alhussien, M.N. and Dang, A.K. (2020). A comparative study on various immunological parameters influencing embryo survivability in crossbred dairy cows. Theriogenology, 157, pp.140-148. (NAAS rating 2021: 8.09)
      •  
    • Manjari, P., Hyder, I., Kapoor, S., Senthilnathan, M. and Dang, A.K. (2018) Exploring the concentration‐dependent actions of interferon‐τ on bovine neutrophils to understand the process of implantation. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 119(12), pp.10087-10094 (NAAS rating 2021: 10.24)
      •  
    • Alhussien, M.N. and Dang, A.K. (2018) Impact of different seasons on the milk somatic and differential cell counts, milk cortisol and neutrophils functionality of three Indian native breeds of cattle. Journal of Thermal Biology, 78. 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.08.020.(NAAS rating 2021: 8.36)
      •  
    • Alhussien, M.N. and Dang, A.K. (2018) Pathogen-dependent modulation of milk neutrophils competence, plasma inflammatory cytokines and milk quality during intramammary infection of Sahiwal (Bos indicus) cows. Microbial Pathogenesis, 121:131–138.(NAAS rating 2021: 8.91)
      •  
    • Sheikh, A.A., Hooda, O.K. and Dang, A.K. (2017) JAK3 and PI3K mediates bovine Interferon-tau stimulated gene expression in the blood neutrophils. Journal of Cellular Physiology (DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26296).(NAAS rating 2021: 11.55)
      •  
    • Panchal, I., Sawhney, I.K., Sharma, A.K. and Dang, A.K. (2016) Classification of healthy and mastitis Murrah buffaloes by application of neural network models using yield and milk quality parameters. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 06/2016; 127:242–248.(NAAS rating 2021: 9.86)

    Research Publications: 60

    Laboratory Manuals: 3

    Technical Books: 5

    Popular articles: 20

    Teaching as Course Incharge:

    Sr. No. Course No. Theory /Practical
    1.    AP-611 (Hematology, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology) Theory and Practical
    2.    AP-622  (Physiology  of  Lactation) Theory and Practical
    3.    AP-714 (Advances  In  Biosynthesis and Secretion of Milk) Theory
    4.    AP-724 (Advances in Immunophysiology) Theory
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