Vimal Selvaraj

Vimal Selvaraj is a Professor of Integrative Physiology at the Department of Animal Science. Dr. Selvaraj’s professional training started with a veterinary degree, followed by research in immunology (masters), reproductive biology (doctorate) and neuroscience/regenerative medicine (postdoc). His research interests fall under a broad umbrella ranging from molecular to organismal biology – resulting in three key directions. (1) Exploring basic biology of mitochondrial function in relation to disease, pluripotency and cancer. (2) Developing practical applications from bovine pluripotent stem cells. (3) Sustainable production of alternative feed sources for livestock. Dr. Selvaraj teaches the introductory undergraduate animal science course (BIOAP 1100: Domestic Animal Biology) and also a research presentation series for graduate students (ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates).

Teaching Focus

Prof. Selvaraj teaches a course that serves to introduce the field of animal biology (ANSC 1100: Domestic Animal Biology). In this course, students learn fundamental information on comparative functional anatomy and physiology of livestock, companion animals and poultry. The laboratory component of this course provides opportunities for hands-on examination of bovine and chicken anatomy. The basic farm component (Ezra’s Farm) provides a hands-on activity for students to expose them to preliminary aspects of animal care and management. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of animal biology that will be essential for further training in both basic and applied fields relevant to careers in animal science, veterinary medicine and biology.

Selected Publications

Journal Publications

• Tu, L., Showalter, M. R., Cajka, T., Fan, S., Pillai, V. V., Fiehn, O., & Selvaraj, V. (2017). Metabolomic characteristics of cholesterol-induced non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Scientific Reports. 7:6120.
• Stocco, D. M., Zhao, A. H., Tu, L. N., Morohaku, K., & Selvaraj, V. (2017). A brief history of the search for the protein(s) involved in the acute regulation of steroidogenesis. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 441:7-16.
• Stocco, D. M., & Selvaraj, V. (2017). Yet Another Scenario in the Regulation of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (STAR) Protein Gene. Endocrinology. 158:235-238.
• Selvaraj, V., & Tu, L. N. (2016). Current status and future perspectives: TSPO in steroid neuroendocrinology. Journal of Endocrinology. 231:R1-R30.
• Mirzaei, N., Tang, S., Ashworth, S., Coello, C., Plisson, C., Passchier, J., Selvaraj, V., Tyacke, R. J., Nutt, D. J., & Sastre, M. (2016). In vivo imaging of microglial activation by positron emission tomography with [11C]PBR28 in the 5XFAD model of Alzheimer’s disease. GLIA. 64:993-1006.
• Zhao, A. H., Tu, L. N., Mukai, C., Sirivelu, M. P., Pillai, V. V., Morohaku, K., Cohen, R., & Selvaraj, V. (2016). Mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) function is not essential for heme biosynthesis. JBC: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 291:1591-1603.
• Tu, L. N., Zhao, A. H., Hussein, M., Stocco, D. M., & Selvaraj, V. (2016). Translocator protein (TSPO) affects mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in steroidogenic cells. Endocrinology. 157:1110-1121.
• Selvaraj, V., Tu, L. N., & Stocco, D. M. (2016). Crucial Role Reported for TSPO in Viability and Steroidogenesis is a Misconception. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 7:91.
• Selvaraj, V., & Stocco, D. M. (2015). The changing landscape in translocator protein (TSPO) function. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 26:341-348.
• Selvaraj, V., Stocco, D. M., & Tu, L. N. (2015). Translocator protein (TSPO) and steroidogenesis: a reappraisal. Molecular Endocrinology. 29:490-501.