Michael A. Helmrath, MD
- Director, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM)
- Director, Surgical Research
- Director, Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation
- Pediatric Surgeon
- Professor, UC Department of Surgery
- michael.helmrath@cchmc.org
- Board Certified
About
Biography
As a pediatric surgeon-scientist, I'm dedicated to helping patients with intestinal diseases and obesity. I always wanted to be a physician — caring for children and conducting research focused on strategies to improve the outcomes of those with intestinal failure.
My clinical interests are bariatric surgery and surgery to correct intestinal failure. My clinical work allows me to translate gastrointestinal conditions into the laboratory, where we are working to develop highly innovative approaches for treating intestinal diseases.
In my research lab, I've established a multidisciplinary team dedicated to translational, clinical, and basic science research focused on intestinal diseases. We are characterizing intestinal stem cells during adaptation and are working to develop intestinal regenerative strategies.
I believe that understanding the biology of intestinal stem cells is key to unraveling the mechanisms involved during the disease process. In my lab, we've developed in vitro culture techniques to maintain and expand individual human intestinal stem cells derived from human tissue samples, pluripotent stem cells, and surgical animal models.
I serve as the Director of Surgical Research, Director of the Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation, and Director of the Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM). I am board certified in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery.
BA: Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1987.
MD: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 1993.
MS: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 1989.
Certification: Board-certified General Surgery; board-certified, Pediatric Surgery.
Interests
Surgery - general and thoracic; intestinal disorders; surgical weight loss
Interests
Intestinal diseases research
Insurance Information
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Publications
A shift in PKM2 oligomeric state instructs adipocyte inflammatory potential. JCI insight. 2025; 10:e185914.
Thermal Annealing Enhances Piezoelectricity and Regenerative Potential of PVDF-TrFE Nanofiber Scaffolds. Advanced Materials Technologies. 2025; 10.
Use of Ovarian Tumor Markers in Prediction of Malignancy Risk in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients. Journal of Surgical Research. 2025; 315:839-846.
Exploring Organ-Specific Extracellular Vesicles in Metabolic Improvements Following Bariatric Surgery in Youth With Obesity. Obesity. 2025; 33:2181-2194.
Autologous Organoid-T Cell Co-Culture Platform for Modeling of Immune-Mediated Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Advanced Science. 2025; 12:e08584.
Co-development of mesoderm and endoderm enables organotypic vascularization in lung and gut organoids. Cell. 2025; 188:4295-4313.e27.
Parenteral nutrition weaning in pediatric intestinal failure patients enrolled in remote patient monitoring: A descriptive study. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2025; 49:768-772.
Integrating collecting systems in human kidney organoids through fusion of distal nephron to ureteric bud. Cell Stem Cell. 2025; 32:1055-1070.e8.
Functional mobility and pain are improved for 6 years after adolescent bariatric surgery. Obesity. 2025; 33:1126-1135.
Coordinated differentiation of human intestinal organoids with functional enteric neurons and vasculature. Cell Stem Cell. 2025; 32:640-651.e9.
From the Blog
Bariatric Surgery Offers Long-Term Health Gains for Adolescents
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, Todd M. Jenkins, PhD, MPH7/23/2025
Organoid Medicine Milestone Reported in Cell Stem Cell
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, Magdalena Kasendra, PhD9/12/2024
Organoids Validated as Tool for Studying Fetal Intestine Development
Michael A. Helmrath, MD5/4/2023
Novel Approach Generates Most Complex Stomach, Esophagus Organoids to Date
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, James M. Wells, PhD ...2/8/2023
Scientists Add Nerves to Intestinal Organoids
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, James M. Wells, PhD6/30/2019
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