Bernhard J Hering

Bernhard J Hering is a Professor in both the Department of Surgery and the Endocrine and Diabetes Division within the School of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. His primary research focus centers on islet transplantation and beta-cell replacement therapies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. With an extensive publication record of 371 research outputs and leadership in 55 research projects and grants, Dr. Hering has established himself as a leading expert in diabetes research and transplantation medicine.

Dr. Hering's research interests primarily focus on islet transplantation, beta-cell replacement therapies, and type 1 diabetes management. His work spans from basic science investigations of islet biology and immunology to clinical applications of islet transplantation. Key areas of investigation include developing methods for stem cell-derived islet replacement, optimizing islet cryopreservation techniques, understanding transplantation immunology, and improving outcomes for islet transplant recipients. His research has significant implications for patients with type 1 diabetes who experience severe hypoglycemia and other complications.

Analysis of Dr. Hering's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on advancing islet transplantation as a viable therapy for type 1 diabetes. His work spans multiple domains including clinical outcomes research using registry data, immunological studies to improve graft survival, engineering approaches to enhance islet quality and preservation, and investigations into the physiological responses of transplanted islets. The research demonstrates a progression from basic islet biology toward increasingly translational and clinical applications, with a particular focus on overcoming the immunological barriers to successful transplantation.

Dr. Hering has received significant research funding from major organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), BREAKTHROUGH T1D, and The Emmes Corporation. His current projects include:

• Growing Beta Cell Replacement in T1D by Tolerizing Stem Cell-Derived Islets (2025)
• REVEAL - Research Evaluating Vagal Excitation and Anatomical Linkages (2022-2025)
• Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry - Expert Site (2022-2027)
• Deep Immune Profiling of Nonchimeric Tolerance of Transplants in Nonhuman Primates (2022-2024)
• Engineering optimization and scaling enables high quality pancreatic islet cryopreservation for banking and transplant (2021-2025)

Dr. Hering leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on advancing islet transplantation therapies. His laboratory collaborates extensively with researchers in immunology, biomedical engineering, endocrinology, and surgery. Current work centers on developing stem cell-derived islet replacement therapies, optimizing islet preservation techniques, and understanding the immune mechanisms that affect transplant outcomes. The team utilizes both preclinical models and clinical registry data to advance the field toward more effective and accessible treatments for type 1 diabetes.