Sundararajan Mahalingam, PhD
Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Sundararajan Mahalingam, PhD, is an assistant professor for the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Dr. Mahalingam's research focuses on elucidating the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease, with particular emphasis on inter-organ communication within the gut–pancreas–liver–adipose axis during the development of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease. He investigates how chronic alcohol exposure alters the synthesis, secretion, and function of gut-derived hormones that regulate metabolic crosstalk. His work has identified ghrelin as a key hormone significantly upregulated by alcohol. Elevated ghrelin acts through its receptor in multiple organs to suppress pancreatic insulin secretion, leading to reduced circulating insulin and enhanced adipose lipolysis, thereby increasing fatty acid flux to the liver. Additionally, ghrelin promotes hepatic lipid accumulation by stimulating de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake. Dr. Mahalingam also demonstrates that ghrelin counteracts GLP-1–mediated metabolic effects, impairing triglyceride breakdown. Notably, GHSR knockout models display improved insulin sensitivity and resistance to ALD, highlighting ghrelin signaling as a potential therapeutic target.
- Bachelor’s: Biochemistry, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
- Master’s: Biochemistry, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
- Ph.D.: Biochemistry, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
Dr. Mahalingam's research focuses on understanding how chronic alcohol use disrupts communication between the gut, pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue, leading to alcohol-associated liver disease. He studies how gut-derived hormones regulate metabolism and drive fatty liver development under alcohol exposure.
A key interest of his work is the role of ghrelin and its receptor signaling in altering insulin secretion, lipid metabolism, and hormone interactions, including interference with GLP-1 pathways.
- Mahalingam S, Bellamkonda R, Kharbanda KK, Ethiraj O, Nagarajan N, Guda C, Sharma K, Schott MB, Casey CA, Leggio L, Rasineni K. Characterizing ghrelin's role in dysregulating GLP-1-mediated function and promoting the development of alcohol-associated liver disease. Biomed Pharmacother. 2026 Feb;195:118924.
- Mahalingam S, Bellamkonda R, Kharbanda KK, Arumugam MK, Kumar V, Casey CA, Leggio L, Rasineni K. Role of ghrelin hormone in the development of alcohol-associated liver disease. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024 May;174:116595.
- Mahalingam S, Bellamkonda R, Arumugam MK, Perumal SK, Yoon J, Casey C, Kharbanda K, Rasineni K. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, reduces alcohol-associated fatty liver disease. Biochem Pharmacol. 2023 Jul;213:115613.