Landmark Achievements
1974 The first transplantation of islet cells occurs.
The first transplant of islet cells was performed at the University of Minnesota in 1974.
2000 A new immunosuppressive protocol becomes available, and isolated islet cells are transplanted using multiple donors.
Edmonton Protocol established islet transplantation as a viable experimental medical procedure by demonstrating that islet cells could be isolated, donated and transplanted. The transplanted human islet cells triggered blood glucose, sensing and regulating insulin production in most patients.
2001-2003 Participants in clinical trials achieve insulin independence.
Dr. Hering led clinical studies of eight type 1 diabetic patients from 2001-2003. All eight participants achieved insulin independence and maintained superior glycemic control. Five patients remained insulin independent for more than a year, and even those with only partial islet function were able to normalize blood sugar levels with small doses of insulin. Severe hypoglycemic episodes were virtually eliminated. Plus, researchers were able to secure sufficient islet cells from just one donor per recipient instead of two to four. Results from the study were published in the February 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
2005 The first successful single-donor islet transplants occurs.
Foremost among islet transplant centers, the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota was the first to achieve consistent diabetes reversal in humans after transplantation of human islets. In October 2007, the first University of Minnesota islet transplant recipient celebrated her seventh year of insulin independence after receiving a single-donor islet transplantation.
2006 Diabetes is reversed in monkeys using pig islet cells.
Dr. Bernhard Hering, et al reported in Nature Medicine that diabetes reversal in monkeys was achieved for more than six months with the use of pig islets.
2007 The protocol for islet transplantation without continuous immunosuppression is developed.
Dr. Bernhard Hering helped develop protocols to allow islet transplantation without continuous immunosuppression. Dr. Hering�s research has resulted in the development of safer, more effective antirejection drugs, which are much less stressful to the cells and the patient.
February 2008 The Spring Point Project�s herd demonstrates high islet yields.
Initial islet isolations of pigs from Spring Point Project�s herd indicated that Spring Point Project pigs have genetics for high islet yields.
