Hermann Haller

Hermann Haller is a Professor at the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, and serves as President of the MDI Biological Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of proteinuria in kidney disease, leveraging zebrafish models to identify novel therapeutic targets. He holds an M.D. from the Free University of Berlin and completed training at Yale University School of Medicine.

His research group investigates endothelial cell differentiation, glycocalyx function, and cytokine communication between endothelial cells and podocytes. They developed a zebrafish proteinuria screening system using transgenic fish and fluorescent plasma proteins. This model is used to study genetic and environmental factors influencing kidney capillary permeability, including the role of PKC isoforms in diabetes and inflammation.

Collaborations include the Jackson Laboratory and Maine Medical Center for translational research through the reMAINE Healthy initiative, aiming to bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical tools for early detection of chronic kidney disease. This program integrates zebrafish and mouse models with patient data to advance diagnostics and therapies.

Laboratory techniques include confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and genetic knockdown strategies. His work emphasizes high-throughput screening for therapeutic targets, combining molecular biology with clinical partnerships to address a major public health issue.