Dr. R. Michael (Mike) Akers

Area of Expertise

• Mammary Gland Biology
• Endocrinology
• Physiology

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  Academic Training

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  Professional Data

• 06/2004 – Current | Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor and Department Head
  Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech
  
• 06/1996 – 06/2004 | Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor
  Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech
  
• 11/81 - 06/1996 | Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor
  Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech
  
• 03/1980 - 11/1981 | Research Physiologist,
  USDA, Milk Secretion and Mastitis Laboratory,Beltsville, MD
  
• 09/1974 - 02/1980 | Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech and State University and Michigan State University, Blacksburg VA and East Lansing, MI
  

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  Honors & Awards

2006 – Named Fellow of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA)

2003 – Animal Growth and Development Award American Association of Animal Science

2000 – Alumni Research Award for Research Excellence, University-wide VT award

2000 – Pharmacia & Upjohn Physiology Award, ADSA

1996 – AgResearch Senior Research Fellow, Agriculture Research Centre, New Zealand

1996 – Research Award of Merit Gamma Sigma Delta

1993 – Borden Award, ADSA

1986 - Agway Young Scientist Award from ADSA

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  Instruction

Graduate Seminar – DASC 5004

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  Research

Recently, we have utilized immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cells to determine effects of secretion of recombinant insulin-like growth factor-I (rIGF-I) on cell growth, morphogenesis, and gene expression especially related to extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Whole animal studies focus on nutritional and hormonal factors that regulate peripubertal bovine mammary development. Specifically, we are evaluating the impacts of IGF-I axis related molecules (IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, IGF-I binding proteins, Growth Hormone (GH) and GH receptor, and steroid hormone receptors on mammary cell proliferation, expression of selected extracellular matrix components (collagen, fibronectin, laminin), and ontogeny of putative mammary epithelial stem cells using a DNA label retaining technique with immunocytochemistry.

In summary, there are three primary elements to my current research program:

1. Study of effects of extracellular matrix molecules on secretion of recombinant
   IGF-I and IGF-I binding proteins and effects of proliferation and morphogenesis
   in immortalized cells.
2. The role of local growth factor production in mammary growth in peripubertal dairy cattle as impacted by nutrition and mammogenic hormones.
3. Discovery of techniques to identify and understanding cellular mechanisms involved in modulating populations of putative epithelial stem cells in the heifer mammary gland.
   

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  Student Advising

Current Graduate Students:

Kristy Daniels – Ph.D. Candidate
Brandy Huderson – Ph.D. Student
Bisi Velayudhan – Ph.D. Candidate

Cathy Parsons – Technician Lactation Laboratory

Previous Graduate Students:

James Smith [MS] 1985
Completed Ph.D. at University MD, Post doc at Duke University, Senior Regional Medical and Research Specialist Neurosciences

Thomas McFadden [MS] 1985
Thomas McFadden [Ph.D.] 1987
Professor and Department Head, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Vermont

Thomas Daniel [MS] 1989
Completed Ph.D. at NC State, currently owner Nutritional Consulting Business

Rene Filep [MS] 1990
Currently teaching school

Donato Romagnolo [Ph.D.] 1993
Post Doc, NIH, Professor University of Arizona

Terry Woodward [MS] 1991
Completed Ph.D. McGill University, currently works for Canadian Government

Steven Ellis [MS] 1994
Steven Ellis [Ph.D.] 1998
Post Doc at University Georgia, Associate Professor, Clemson University

Miriam Weber [MS] 1995
Miriam Weber [Ph.D.] 1998
Associate Professor at Michigan State University

Sarah Berry [Ph.D.] 2003
Senior Research Physiologist ViaLactia, Auckland New Zealand

Jamie Forrest [MS] 2003
Physicians Assistant Program, Wake Forest University, working in medical field

Kristy Daniels [MS] 2004
Current Ph.D. candidate

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 Presentations

Symposium Presentation, 5th International Congress on Farm Animal Endocrinology, “Ovarian and IGF-I Axis Control of Mammary Development in Prepubertal Heifers”, July 5, 2004 Budapest, Hungary

Advances in Mammary Biology: A Tribute to H. Allen Tucker, March 4, 2005, “Mammary Development Like Politics Starts at Home”, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Invited Speaker European Association Animal Production Meeting, “Mammary Growth and Alveolar Secretory Cell Differentiation: Keys to Milk Production”, August 26, 2007 Dublin Ireland

  Publications Summary

Two Books
~ 160 Refereed Journal Articles
6 Book Chapters,
10 Refereed Conference Proceedings
170 Scientific Abstracts

Publications Since 2000 [Selected Publications prior to 2000 can be viewed at the link below]

Books
Akers, R.M., 2002, “Lactation and the Mammary Gland”, Iowa State Press, ISBN 0-8138-2992-5, 278 pages.

Akers, R.M. and D. M. Denbow, 2008, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Blackwell Press, accepted for publication in production ~ 600 pages.

Journals/Chapters
Zhao, Y., R.M. Akers, and H. Jiang. 2008. Growth Hormone Can Induce Expression of Four Major Milk Protein Genes in Transfected MAC-T Cells. J. Dairy Sci. 91: (accepted for publication).

Paye, J. M.D., R.M. Akers, W.R. Huckle, and K.F. Forsten-Williams. 2007. Production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) impacts paracellular transport across epithelial cells in vitro. Cell Communication and Adhesion 14: 85-98.

Staniar, W.B., D.S. Kronfeld, R.M. Akers, and P.A. Harris. 2007. Insulin-like growth factor I in growing throughbreds. J. Animal Physiology Animal Nutrition 91: 390-399.

Porter, R.M, R.M. Akers, R.D. Howard, and K. Forsten-Williams. 2007. Alginate encapsulation impacts the insulin-like growth factor-I system of monolayer-expanded equine articular chondrocytes and cell response to interleukin-1. Tissue Engineering 13: 1333-1345.

Porter, R.M., R.M. Akers, R.D. Howard, and K. Fosten-Williams. 2006. Transcriptional and protelolytic regulation of the insulin-like growth factor-I system of equine articular chondrocytes by recombinant equine interleukin-1β. J. Cellular Physiology 209: 542-550.

Akers, R.M., A.V. Capuco, and J.E. Keys. 2006. Cellular differentiation in mammary tissue of beef and dairy heifers. Livestock Science 105: 44-49.

Akers, R.M. 2006. Major advances associated with hormones and growth factor regulation of mammary growth and lactation in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 89: 1222-1234.

Daniels, K.M., K.E. Webb, Jr., M.L. McGilliard, M.J. Meyer, M.E. Van Amburgh and R.M. Akers. 2006. A proteomic approach to evaluate the effects of body weight and plane of nutrition on protein expression profiles of mammary gland extracts from Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 89: 4276-4288.

Ahmadzadeh, A., M.A. Barnes, F.C. Gwazdauskas, and R.M. Akers. 2006. Effect of dopamine antagonist on serm cortisol and prolactin secretion in lactating Holstein cows. J. Dairy Science 89: 2051-2055.

Brown, E.G., M.J. VanderHaar, K.M. Danielsa, J.S. Liesman, L.T. Chapin, J.W. Forrest, R.M. Akers, R. E. Pearson, and M. S. Weber Nielsen. 2005. Effect of increasing energy and protein intake on mammary development in heifer calves. J. Dairy Science 88: 595-603.

Akers, R.M., S.E. Ellis, S.D. Berry. 2005. Ovarian and IGF-I control of mammary development in prepubertal heifers. Domestic Anim. Endo. 29: 259-267.

Kreke, M.R., A.S. Badami, J.B. Brady, R.M. Akers, and A. S. Goldstein. 2005. Modulation of protein adsorption and cell adhesion by poly(allylamine hydrochloride) heparin films. Biomaterials 26: 2975-2981.

Akers, R.M. 2004. Milk Synthesis in Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Marcel Dekker, 629-631.

Berry, S.D., R.D. Howard, and R.M. Akers. 2003. Mammary localization of laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV proteins in prepubertal heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 86: 2864-2874 .

Elhadj, S., R.M. Akers, K. Forsten-Williams. 2003. Chronic pulstaile shear stress alters insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) binding protein release in vitro. Annals Biomedical Engineering 31: 163-170.

Berry, S.D.K., P.M. Jobst, S. E. Ellis, R. D. Howard, A.V. Capuco and R.M. Akers. 2003. Mammary epithelial proliferation and estrogen receptor α expression in prepubertal heifers: Effects of ovariectomy and growth hormone. J. Dairy Sci. 86: 2098-2105.

Leininger, D. J., J.R. Roberson, F. Elvinger, D. Ward, and R.M. Akers. 2003. Efficacy of frequent milk-out for treatment of cows with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 222: 63-66.

Berry, S.D., R.D. Howard, P.M. Jobst, and R.M. Akers. 2003. Interactions between the ovary and the local IGF-I axis modulate mammary development in prepubertal heifers. J. Endocrinology 177: 295-304.

Berry, S.D. K., M.S. Weber Nielsen, P.L. Boyle, and R.M. Akers. 2003. Use of an immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) to measure the mitogenic capacity of extracts of heifer mammary tissue: Effects of nutrition and ovariectomy. Domestic Animal Endocrinol. 25: 245-253.

Wang, Y., E. Satyanarayana, W.E. Beal, W.S. Swecker Jr., R.M. Akers, and H. Jiang. 2003. Reduced serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) is associated with reduced liver IGF-I mRNA and liver growth hormone receptor mRNA in food-deprived cattle. J. Nutrition 133: 2555-2560.

Capuco, A.V., S. Ellis, D.L. Wood, R.M. Akers, and W. Garrett. 2002. Postnatal mammary ductal growth: three-dimensional imaging of cell proliferation, effects of estrogen treatment and expression of steroid receptors in prepubertal calves. Tissue Cell 34: 143-154.

Akers, R.M. and A.V. Capuco. 2002. Lactogenesis in Encyclopedia of Dairy Science, Academic Press 3: 1442-1446.

Capuco, A.V. and R.M. Akers. 2002. Galactopoiesis – Effects of hormones and growth factors in Encyclopedia of Dairy Science, Academic Press Vol 3: 1452-1458.

Capuco, A.V. and R.M. Akers. 2002. Galactopoiesis – Effects of BST treatment in Encyclopedia of Dairy Science, Academic Press Vol 3: 1458-1464.

Nickerson, S.C. and R.M. Akers. 2002. Mammary Gland Anatomy in Encyclopedia of Dairy Science, Academic Press Vol 3: 1680-1689.

Berry, S.D., T.B. McFadden, R.E. Pearson, and R.M. Akers. 2001. Regulation of heifer mammogenesis by a local increase in the mammary IGF-I:IGFBP-3 ratio. Domestic Animal Endo. 21: 39-53.

Weber, M.S., P. L. Boyle, B.A. Corl, E.A. Wong, F.C. Gwazdauskas, and R.M. Akers. 2001. Mammary synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-I in transgenic mice modulates mammary binding protein synthesis. Transgenics 3: 143-152.

Robinson, R.M., R.M.Akers, and K.E. Forsten. 2001. IGF-I stimulation of extracellular acidification is not linked to cell proliferation for autocrine cell. Endocrine 15: (2) 205-212.

Forsten, K.E., R.M. Akers, and J.D. San Antonio. 2001. Extracellular acidification affects insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 regulation of IGF-I binding, trafficking and activity. J. Cell Physiology 189: 356-365.

Weber, M. S., S. Purup, M. Vestergaard, R.M. Akers, and K. Sejrsen. 2000. Nutritional and somatotropin regulation of the mitogenic response of mammary cells to mammary tissue extracts. Domestic Animal Endo. 18: 159-164.

Weber, M. S., S. Purup, M. Vestergaard, R.M. Akers, and K. Sejrsen. 2000. Regulation of local synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-I and binding proteins in mammary tissue. J. Dairy Science 83: 30-37.

Purup, S., M. Vestergaard, M. W. Weber, K. Plaut, R.M. Akers, and K. Sejrsen. 2000. Local regulation of pubertal mammary growth in heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 78(Suppl. 3) 36-47.

Akers, R.M. and T.B. McFadden, S. Purup, M. Vestergaard, K. Sejrsen, and A.V. Capuco. 2000. Local IGF-I axis in peripubertal ruminant mammary development. J. Mammary Gland Biology Neoplasia 5: 43-51.

Akers, R.M. 2000. Selection for milk production from a lactation biology viewpoint. J. Dairy Science 83: 1151-1158.

Ellis, S., S. Purup, K. Sejrsen, and R.M. Akers. 2000. In vitro analysis of growth and morphogenesis of epithelial cell organoids from peripheral and medial parenchyma of prepubertal bovine mammary glands. J. Dairy Sci. 952-961.

Filep, R. and R.M. Akers. 2000. Casein cytological differentiation in mammary tissue from bulls of high or low genetic merit. J. Dairy Sci. 83: 2261-2268.

Ball, S., K. Polson, J. Emeny, W. Eyestone, and R.M. Akers. 2000. Induced lactation in prepubertal Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 83: 2459-2463.

Robinson, R. M., R.M. Akers, and K.E. Forsten. 2000. Real-time detection of IGF-I stimulation of the MAC-T bovine mammary epithelial cell line. Endocrine 13: 345-252.

Ellis, S., S. Purup, K. Sejrsen, and R.M. Akers. 2000. In vitro analysis of growth and morphogenesis of epithelial cell organoids from peripheral and medial parenchyma of prepubertal bovine mammary glands. J. Dairy Sci. 952-961.

Akers, R.M. and T.B. McFadden, S. Purup, M. Vestergaard, K. Sejrsen, and A.V. Capuco. 2000. Local IGF-I axis in peripubertal ruminant mammary development. J. Mammary Gland Biology Neoplasia 5: 43-51.

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