
Schulze Diabetes Institute
Pioneering superior transplant therapeutics for people burdened with diabetes and a world leader in the surgical treatment of pancreatitis through pancreatectomy and auto-islet cell transplantation
Welcome to the Schulze Diabetes Institute!
I’m Bernhard Hering, and I’m thrilled you’ve joined us on our mission. Whether you’re a patient seeking hope, a researcher driven by curiosity, or a donor fueling our mission, you can make a contribution here. At Schulze, we unite compassion, cutting-edge science, and community — so that everyone affected by diabetes can look forward to healthier tomorrows.
Together, we believe in:
- Pioneering Research - We’re committed to translating breakthroughs in cell therapy and immunomodulation into life-changing treatments for those burdened by diabetes and its most devastating complication - kidney disease. Such treatments will include the use of islets derived from human or pig donors, next generation islets from human stem cells, and cell therapies that eliminate the need for chronic immunosuppression after islet and/or kidney transplant. These recent advances – some of which are already in the clinic – set the stage for the next chapter of our mission.
- Global Collaboration - We partner with leading institutions worldwide to accelerate progress and share best practices. Our network of scientific partners extend beyond the boundaries of the University of Minnesota, and include investigators located throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe. Elsewhere, we are deeply engaged with patient advocacy groups and funding agencies, responding to their needs, and advising them on advances that will bring us closer to our shared goal of a cure.
As we embark on this next chapter, we hope that you will join us. Your voice matters, so tell us what excites you most about our work? Whether it’s a specific research avenue or a community event, let’s co-create a future without diabetes.
—Bernhard J. Hering, MD
Professor & Executive Director, Schulze Diabetes Institute
Mission
Researchers in the University of Minnesota’s Schulze Diabetes Institute are driven to reverse Type 1 Diabetes. Through pioneering islet transplantation treatments and ongoing research efforts, our goal is to enable people to live diabetes-free lives.
Leadership & Faculty
Professor & Director
Bernhard Hering, MD
Sabarinathan Ramachandran, PhD
Affiliates & Collaborators
Affiliates and Collaborators of the Schulze Diabetes Institute
University Affiliations
The Schulze Diabetes Institute is housed within the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Surgery, integrating clinical and translational research programs for diabetes and transplantation medicine.
- Division of Transplantation
- Preclinical Research Center
- Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplant Program
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics Facility
- University of Minnesota Genomics Center
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute
- Stem Cell Institute
- College of Veterinary Medicine
Academic Collaborators
Key academic collaborators extend the Institute’s reach both within and outside the UMN, enabling advances in immunology, bioengineering, and cell therapy.
- Clifford Steer, MD (UMN) – Generation of organs for transplant research
- Erik Finger, MD, PhD (UMN) – Organ and cell preservation research
- Gatikrushna Singh, PhD (UMN) – RNA targeted cancer therapy research
- John Osborn, PhD (UMN) – Role of the central nervous system research
- Mandy Ford, PhD (Emory University) – Immunology and transplant tolerance research
- Melanie Graham, PhD (UMN) – Transplant tolerance research
- Quinn Peterson, PhD (Mayo Clinic) - Stem cell and regenerative medicine research
- Rita Perlingeiro, PhD (UMN) – Stem cell and regenerative medicine research
- Timothy O’Brien, DVM, PhD, (UMN) - Exosome products for disease treatment
Research Consortia and Professional Societies
The Institute engages with national and international consortia to shape clinical standards and policy for islet transplantation and xenotransplantation.
- NIH Immune Tolerance Network (ITN)
- Clinical Islet Transplant Consortium (CIT)
- Nonhuman Primate Transplantation Tolerance Collaborative Study Group
- Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet
- Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry (CITR)
- Cell Transplant Society (CTS)
- International Xenotransplantation Association (IXA)
- International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA)
Industry, NGO, and Global Partners
To accelerate translation, the Institute collaborates with industry, non-profits, and patient organizations, as well as academic centers in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
- Spring Point Project – designated pathogen-free swine source for clinical xenotransplantation (co-founded by Dr. Hering)
- Patient advocacy groups (e.g., Breakthrough T1D, MN Lions Diabetes Foundation, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation)
- Funding agencies (e.g., NIH, private foundations)
- Investigators at Canadian and European centers in cell therapy and transplant immunology
Our History
1994: Founding as the Diabetes Institute for Immunology & Transplantation
Building on Minnesota’s pioneering pancreas-transplant program, the University of Minnesota launched a dedicated diabetes institute in 1994 to develop islet (β-cell)
transplantation as a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Under the leadership of David E.R. Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D., and then Bernhard J. Hering, M.D., the Institute perfected methods for isolating, transplanting, and engrafting donor islets, positioning UMN as a world leader in β-cell replacement therapy.
2008–2009: The Schulze Family’s Transformative Gift
In December 2008, Richard M. Schulze and the Schulze Family Foundation pledged $40 million—the second-largest donation in University history and the second-largest
family gift to diabetes research in the U.S. at that time. In honor of this gift, the Diabetes Institute for Immunology & Transplantation was renamed the Schulze Diabetes Institute, dramatically expanding its research capacity and accelerating its mission to cure Type 1 diabetes.
2010s–Today: Growth into a Global Translational Hub
Since its renaming, the Schulze Diabetes Institute has:
- Refined immunosuppressive regimens to improve islet-graft survival
- Pioneered cryopreservation and ex vivo organ-engineering approaches
- Advanced transplant immunology to promote tolerance of allografts (human donor grafts) and xenografts (animal donor grafts)
- Demonstrated long-term survival and function of pancreatic islets in nonhuman primates without ongoing anti-rejection drugs
Today, the Institute remains at the forefront of translating β-cell replacement into durable, drug-sparing therapies that aim to free people from the burdens of insulin-
dependent diabetes.
Latest News
February 2025:
Joseph Sushil Rao, MD, Invited to Join Young Investigator Committee of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association
Surgical Lead in pancreatic islet cryopreservation, exogenic organ development, and transplant immunology, Joseph Sushil Rao, MD, was recently invited to join the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA) 's Young Investigator Committee (YIC).
Recent Publications
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Bernhard J. Hering, Michael R. Rickels, Melena D. Bellin, Jeffrey R. Millman, Alice A. Tomei, Andres J. Garcıa, Haval Shirwan, Cherie L. Stabler, Minglin Ma, Peng Yi, Xunrong Luo, Qizhi Tang, Sabarinathan Ramachandran, Jose Oberholzer, Camillo Ricordi, Timothy J. Kieffer, and A.M. James Shapiro (2025). Advances in Cell Replacement Therapies for Diabetes. Diabetes Journal. PMID: 40272266 DOI: 10.2337/db25-0037
Why does this matter? This landmark review pulls together, for the first time, the full arc of β-cell replacement—from bench optimizations of islet isolation and cryopreservation to peritransplant management, immunosuppression refinements, and Phase 3 trial outcomes demonstrating durable glycemic control and protection from severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. By convening pioneers across surgery, endocrinology, bioengineering and immunology, it not only codifies best-practice standards for clinical islet transplantation but also charts the next frontiers (e.g., stem-cell–derived grafts, organ-engineering scaffolds, novel tolerance protocols) that will drive the field toward a scalable cure.
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Graham, M. L., Ramachandran, S., Singh, A., Moore, M. E. G, Flanagan, B. E., Azimzadeh, A., Burlak, C., Mueller, K. R., Martins, K., Anazawa, T., Balamurugan, A. N., Bansal-Pakala, P., Murtaugh, M. P., O'Brien, T., Papas, K. K., Spizzo, T., Schuurman, H. J., Hancock, W. W., & Hering, B. J. (2021). Clinically available immunosuppression averts rejection but not systemic inflammation after porcine islet xenotransplant in cynomolgus macaques. American Journal of Transplantation 2021 Oct 27; doi: 10.1111/ajt.16876.
Why does this matter? This 2021 Graham et al. study represents a critical milestone in moving porcine islet xenotransplantation toward clinical reality by:
1. Defining a “Clinically Feasible” Immunosuppression Regimen
2. Proving Adaptive Immunity Control, Exposing Innate Immunity Gaps
3. Shaping the Next Generation of Xenotransplant Strategies
4. Bridging to First-in-Human Trials -
Rao, J. S., Hosny, N., Kumbha, R., Naqvi, R. A., Singh, A., Swanson, Z., Levy, H., Matson, A. W., Steinhoff, M., Forneris, N., Walters, E., Hering, B. J., & Burlak, C. (2021). HLA-G1+ Expression in GGTA1KO Pigs Suppresses Human and Monkey Anti-Pig T, B and NK Cell Responses. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 730545. PMID: 34566993 PMCID: PMC8459615 doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.730545
Why does this matter? This paper marks a major leap in making pig‐to‐human (and nonhuman primate) organ and islet transplants immunologically tolerable by:
1. Introducing a Physiologic “Brake” on Xenogeneic Immunity
2. Broad Suppression of Key Effector Arms
3. Preserved Functional Competence of Islets
4. A Blueprint for Next-Generation Xenotransplant -
Nanno, Y., Sterner, E., Gildersleeve, J. C., Hering, B. J., & Burlak, C. (2021). Carbohydrate antigen microarray analysis of serum IgG and IgM antibodies before and after adult porcine islet xenotransplantation in cynomolgus macaques. PloS One, 16(6), e0253029. PMID: 34138941 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253029
Why does this matter? This study is a milestone for porcine‐to‐primate islet xenotransplantation because it provides a practical roadmap for glyco-engineering: by pinpointing exactly which sugar epitopes trigger antibodies, it enables the creation of next-generation pigs tailored to evade both classical and humoral barriers.
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Nanno, Y., Wastvedt, S., Freeman, M. L., Trikudanathan, G., Schwarzenberg, S. J., Downs, E. M., Kirchner, V., Pruett, T. L., Beilman, G. J., Chinnakotla, S., Hering, B. J., & Bellin, M. D. (2021). Metabolic measures before surgery and long-term diabetes outcomes in recipients of total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation. American Journal of Transplantation. PMID: 33754431 doi: 10.1111/ajt.16573
Why does this matter? This publication is significant because it identifies preoperative metabolic markers that can help predict long-term diabetes outcomes in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT). That’s a big deal for people with chronic pancreatitis who face the difficult decision of removing their pancreas to relieve pain, knowing it could lead to insulin-dependent diabetes.
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Boucher, A. A., Wastvedt, S., Hodges, J. S., Beilman, G. J., Kirchner, V. A., Pruett, T. L., Hering, B. J., Schwarzenberg, S. J., Downs, E., Freeman, M., Trikudanathan, G., Chinnakotla, S., & Bellin, M. D. (2021). Portal Vein Thrombosis may Be More Strongly Associated With Islet Infusion Than Extreme Thrombocytosis After Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation. Transplantation. PMID: 33988346 doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000003624
Why does this matter? This publication is important because it challenges a common assumption in post- surgical care for patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Traditionally, extreme thrombocytosis - a sharp rise in platelet count - was thought to be a major contributor to portal vein thrombosis (PVT), a serious complication. But this study found that islet infusion volume and portal pressure are more strongly associated with PVT than platelet counts.
Meetings, Presentations, and Awards
International Pancreas & Islet Transplant Association
June 15 – 18th, 2025
Pisa, Italy
Presentations | Presenters |
Harnessing Amphiregulin-Coated TR1 Cell-Derived-Exosomes for Transplant Immunotherapy | Ahmed Mourad, M.D., & Amar Singh, Ph.D. |
Is There One Best Strategy for Preventing ejection and Autoimmunity Recurrence of SC-Islets, or Will it Depend? | Bernhard Hering, M.D. |
Pancreatic islet Transplantation: CITR. | Bernhard Hering, M.D. |
Single-Cell Mass Cytometry Reveals Preponderance of EGFR-Expressing Exhausted CD8+ T-Cells in NHPS Made Tolerant to Islet Transplants. | Devanjan Dey, Ph.D. |
2023 David Sutherland Distinguished Traveling Fellowship Award lecture | Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. |
Human Islet and Stem Cell Derived Beta Cluster Cryopreservation | Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. |
Revision of Organ Allocation Policies and Ethical Considerations for the Future of Islet Transplantation Using Cryopreserved Human Stem Cell-Derived Beta Clusters and isolated Pancreatic islets | Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. |
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Increase the Immunogenicity of Human, Rhesus and Cynomolgus macaque Islets* | Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. |
Perturbations in Transplanted Islets are Critical for Allo and Auto Immune Response in Islet Transplant Recipients | Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. |
UMN Diabetes Research Day
Friday, May 30th, 2025
UMN-TC Campus
Presentations | Presenters |
An Immortalized β-cell Line for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes | Magie Steinhoff, B.Sc. |
Perturbations in Transplanted Islets are Critical for Allo and Auto Immune Response in Islet Transplant Recipients | Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. |
Surgery Research Recognition Day
Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
UMN-TC Campus
Presentations | Presenters |
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced Hyperexpression of MHC I and II in Human, Rhesus and Cynomolgus Macaque Islets Increases their Immunogenicity | Anna Tran, B.Sc. |
Harnessing Amphiregulin-coated Tr1 Cell-derived-Exosomes for Transplant Immunotherapy | Ahmed Mourad M.D. |
Single-Cell Mass Cytometry Reveals Preponderance of EGFR Expressing Exhausted CD8+ T-Cells in NHPs Made Tolerant to Islet Transplants | Devanjan Dey, Ph.D. |
Mapping the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Axis in Obesity-Related Immune Dysregulation | Devanjan Dey, Ph.D. |
Perturbations in Transplanted Islets are Critical for Allo and Auto Immune Response in Islet Transplant Recipients | Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. |
Apoptotic Donor Leukocytes (ADL) under Transient Immune Suppression (TIS) Tolerance Regimen Causes Epigenetic Alterations in Immune Cells That Are Associated With Differential Activation of the Antigen Presentation Pathway. | Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. |
Clinical Scale Cryopreservation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Beta Clusters and Native Isolated Pancreatic Islets by Vitrification for Transplantation | Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. |
Simulating Wall Shear Stress and Sinusoidal Pressure Using a Digital Twin Liver Mathematical Model to Predict Regeneration Potential in a Reduced Porcine Liver Graft During Normothermic Machine Perfusion | Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. |
American Association of Immunologists
May 3 -7th, 2025
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Presentations | Presenters |
Defining the Immune States of the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway in Obesity-Driven Chronic Inflammation | Devanjan Dey, Ph.D. |
Awards
- Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. The Transplantation Society/IPITA 2025 Congress Scientific Abstract Award
- Anna Tran, B.Sc. 2025. Dept. of Surgery. Outstanding Graduate Student Presentation Award
- Joseph Sushil Rao, M.D. 2025. Dept. of Surgery Research Staff Excellence Award
- Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. 2025. Dept. of Surgery. Top Honor: Research Staff Excellence Award
- Dr. Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Ph.D. 2025. Dept. of Surgery. Outstanding Staff Presentation Award
Get Involved
The Schulze Diabetes Institute relies upon the support of many—from large foundations to individuals with a vested interest in finding a cure. The best way to support our work is to get involved!
Participate
Meet like-minded people and have fun while raising money and awareness for diabetes research.
Breakthrough T1D Walk (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes)
Breakthrough T1D Walk is a nationwide movement dedicated to raising type 1 diabetes (T1D) awareness and funding research. As the largest T1D walk, this event empowers individuals and teams to take action.
Give to the Max Day
The University of Minnesota Foundation participates in an annual Minnesota event called Give to the Max Day—a day each November set aside for Minnesotans to support causes close to their hearts. Designate your gift on this day to help further a cure for diabetes.
Islets Offer New Life
The SDI is one of only nine places in the world where patients can get life-changing transplants that treat Type 1 Diabetes. Our expertise is second-to-none in this area. In fact, we’ve done more islet transplants than anywhere else. Is this treatment right for you?
If you have Type 1 Diabetes and would like to be considered for future islet transplant clinical trials, you can submit your information here.
Give
The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) works to advance research, education, care, and outreach at the University of Minnesota through private gifts. Please consider making a donation to the below funds:
Contact
Schulze Diabetes Institute
University of Minnesota
420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 195
Minneapolis MN 55455
E. Brian Flanagan, PhD
Scientific Program Director
Office: 612-625-6743
Email: [email protected]
Kelly Swenson
Grants & Contracts Professional
Office: 612-626-5697
Email: [email protected]