Jakub Tolar
,
Credentials
MD, PhD

Dean, Vice President for Clinical Affairs
Biography

Bio

Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD is the dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Blood and Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy. He is also the vice president for Clinical Affairs at the University of Minnesota, board chair for University of Minnesota Physicians and co-leader of M Health Fairview, the joint clinical enterprise among the University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services. An internationally recognized physician and researcher, Dr. Tolar is known for his care of patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. His research is focused on developing cellular therapies for rare genetic disorders. Originally from the Czech Republic, Dr. Tolar received his medical education (MD) in Prague at Charles University. In 1992, he came to the University of Minnesota, where he received his PhD in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Genetics.

Research Summary

Dr. Tolar's research focuses on finding new ways to treat children with lethal, inherited diseases. He is also looking for safer and more effective gene therapy for diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa, mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome), Fanconi anemia, and dyskeratosis congenita. Additional research interests include reducing the negative effects of stem cell transplantation (such as using mesenchymal stromal cells for graft-versus-host disease); creation and use of induced pluripotent stem cells; gene therapy using gene addition (with viral vectors and trasposons); and gene editing (with synthetic nucleases to repair genes).

Research Interests
Epidermolysis bullosa
Fanconi anemia
Dyskeratosis congenita
Hurler syndrome (MPS)
Gene therapy

Clinical Summary

Blood and marrow transplantation; Gene therapy for correction of genetic diseases

Education

PhD, University of Minnesota, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Genetics
MD, Charles University 1st Medical School, summa cum laude
Examination of Maturity, Summa cum laude, Na vitezne plani
Major: Biology

Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Fellowship
University of Minnesota Medical Center, 2000 – 2003
Pediatrics, Residency
University of Minnesota Medical Center, 1997 – 2000
Postdoctoral Fellow,
University of Minnesota, Institute of Human Genetics, 1996 – 1997
Visiting Scientist,
Cambridge University, 1991

Licensures and Certifications

American Sub Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Licensure/Certification Number: 001866
Minnesota Medical License,
Licensure/Certification Number: 42278

Honors and Recognition

Team Telomere Award for Excellence in Medicine
2022
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
2021
Academy for Excellence in Health Research, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center
2016
Distinguished McKnight University Professorship
2015
Innovator in Translational Research Award, University of Minnesota Pediatric Faculty Recognition
2014
Leadership in Healthcare , “Change Agent” Award, Minnesota Business Magazine
2013
Rare Disease Research Hall of Fame, National Organization for Rare Disorders
2013
Edmund Wallace Tulloch and Anna Marie Tulloch Chair in Stem Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics
2013
Albert D. and Eva J. Corniea Chair
2011
Butterfly Award, Children’s Cancer Research Fund
2009
Elected Member, Society of Pediatric Research
2005
University Pediatrics Foundation Scholar
2005

Professional Memberships

American Society of Clinical Oncology
Children’s Oncology Group, Investigator
Society for Hematology and Stem Cells
Association of Academic Health Centers
American Society of Transplantation
American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium
Non-Malignant Strategy Group, Volunteer Co-Leader
Society for Investigative Dermatology
Stem Cell Therapy for Severe Inherited Skin Fragility Disorders Consortium
Newborn Translational Research Network, SCID Working Group
European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy
Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance
American Society of Hematology
International Society for Stem Cell Research
American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
European Hematology Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
Society of Pediatric Research
Association of American Medical Colleges
American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy
Royal Society of Medicine, Overseas Fellow
St. John’s Dermatological Society

Languages

Czech
Selected Presentations

Selected Presentations

"EB Therapeutics: Lessons from stem cell biology and transplantation", International EB Symposium, Osaka (virtual), Japan. May 08, 2023.
"Embracing our aging world.", Embracing our aging world., 3rd Vietnam National Geriatric Conference, Hanoi, Viet Nam. November 12, 2022.
"Reaping Mendel’s Harvest: Genome editing and the era of precision medicine.", Reaping Mendel’s Harvest: Genome editing and the era of precision medicine., Mendel’s 200th Birthday Celebration, Brno, Czech Republic. July 21, 2022.
"Stem cell medicines for EB.", Stem cell medicines for EB., Debra Care Conference, keynote speech, Denver, CO, United States. July 18, 2022.
"ABCB5+ MSCs: a new approach to inflammation.", Debra Care Conference, Denver, CO, United States. July 17, 2022.
"Being able to cure EB, or treat but not cure EB; that is the question?", “Sweet and Sour” debate with Dr. John McGrath. Webinar, European Society of Dermatology Research (ESDR) Kitchen, London, England. February 09, 2022.
"Vaccination: Lessons learned from the roll out in MN and national planning in Cuba: Minnesota Vaccines, variants, and cases.", Vaccination: Lessons learned from the roll out in MN and national planning in Cuba: Minnesota Vaccines, variants, and cases., University of Minnesota-Cuba COVID-19 Forum, Virtual, United States. April 21, 2021.
"Containing COVID-19 in Minnesota, UMN’s Role.", University of Minnesota- Cuba COVID-19 Forum, Virtual, United States. December 16, 2020.
"Gene Manipulations and Therapies", Gene Manipulations and Therapies, EB2020, London, England. January 21, 2020.
"Combining Approaches: BMT and systemic treatment", Combining Approaches: BMT and systemic treatment, EB2020, London, England. January 21, 2020.
"Curative vs. Disease-modifying Strategies", Curative vs. Disease-modifying Strategies, EB2020, London, England. January 20, 2020.
"Symbiosis of Artificial and Human Intelligence in Medicine", Symbiosis of Artificial and Human Intelligence in Medicine, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. July 10, 2019.
"Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine", Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Global Health Congress’ Healthcare Innovation Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. September 11, 2018.
"Gene regeneration: From mechanism to therapy", Gene regeneration: From mechanism to therapy, The Human Genome in Healthcare, Genetics Society, London, England. November 23, 2017.
"BMT for RDEB and JB: What we have learned, and how does this instruct what we do next?", BMT for RDEB and JB: What we have learned, and how does this instruct what we do next?, EB2017/EB CliNet, Salzburg, Germany. September 26, 2017.
"Gene Editing of COL7A1", Gene Editing of COL7A1, IX Symposium of Epidermolysis Bullosa: Ninos Piel de Cristal, Santiago, Chile. December 15, 2016.
"Hematopoietic Transplant in Epidermolysis Bullosa", Hematopoietic Transplant in Epidermolysis Bullosa, IX Symposium of Epidermolysis Bullosa: Ninos Piel de Cristal, Santiago, Chile. December 15, 2016.
"Gene edited stem cells: from cloning to clinic", Gene edited stem cells: from cloning to clinic, European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy/International Society for Stem Cell Research Meeting, Florence, Italy. October 16, 2016.
"Hematopoietic cell transplantation in epidermolysis bullosa", Hematopoietic cell transplantation in epidermolysis bullosa, Regenerative Medicine Conference, Havana, Cuba. October 13, 2016.
"Cell therapy for RDEB", Cell therapy for RDEB, European Epidermolysis Bullosa Meeting, Madrid, Spain. October 08, 2016.
"How bone marrow transplantation changed my life with RDEB", How bone marrow transplantation changed my life with RDEB, St. John’s Annual Oration, St. John’s Dermatological Society, London, England. June 02, 2016.
"Epidermolysis Bullosa: The Worst Disease You Never Heard of", Epidermolysis Bullosa: The Worst Disease You Never Heard of, Stem for Life Foundation and Pontifical Council for Culture: Third International Conference, How Science, Technology, Information and Communication Will Impact Society, Vatican, Rome, Italy. April 25, 2016.
"Severe recessive epidermolysis bullosa and stem cell transplantation", Severe recessive epidermolysis bullosa and stem cell transplantation, Epidermolysis Bullosa and Stem Cell Transplant Symposium, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, England. April 05, 2016.
"Gene, Cell and Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine", Gene, Cell and Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine, AMIT Award Program, Seoul, Korea Republic of. November 20, 2015.
"Three Body Problem of Cell and Gene Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa", Three Body Problem of Cell and Gene Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa, European Society of Pediatric Dermatology, ESPD Summer School, Lausanne, Switzerland. June 26, 2015.
"Regenerative Medicine: From ideas to clinical practice", Regenerative Medicine: From ideas to clinical practice, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czech Republic. April 29, 2015.
"Gene Editing for Systemic Therapy of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa", Gene Editing for Systemic Therapy of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, VIII Symposium Epidermolysis Bullosa, DebRA International, Santiago, Chile. December 05, 2014.
"Blood and Marrow Transplantation for Severe Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa", Blood and Marrow Transplantation for Severe Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, VIII Symposium Epidermolysis Bullosa, DebRA International, Santiago, Chile. December 05, 2014.
"Cellular and Subcellular Therapy for Extracellular Matrix Disorders", Cellular and Subcellular Therapy for Extracellular Matrix Disorders, A*STAR, Singapore. November 03, 2014.
"Gene Therapy for Fanconi Anemia: International platform", Gene Therapy for Fanconi Anemia: International platform, International Fanconi Anemia Gene Therapy Working Group, Milan, Italy. October 16, 2014.
"Gene Therapy for Human Disease: From ideas to clinical practice", Gene Therapy for Human Disease: From ideas to clinical practice, Institute of Klinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czech Republic. June 26, 2014.
"Dyskeratosis Congenita-Specific Bone Marrow Transplantation: Less toxicity, better outcomes", Dyskeratosis Congenita-Specific Bone Marrow Transplantation: Less toxicity, better outcomes, Short Telomere Syndrome Conference, Sydney, Australia. June 18, 2014.
"EB Scoring System", EB Scoring System, iscorEB Meeting, Toronto, Canada. June 06, 2014.
"Cellular Therapy: Concepts and plans", Cellular Therapy: Concepts and plans, Osaka, Japan. February 14, 2014.
"Gene and Cell Therapy in Regenerative Medicine", Gene and Cell Therapy in Regenerative Medicine, European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy and SETGyC Collaborative Congress, Madrid, Spain. October 26, 2013.
"Update on Epidermolysis Bullosa", Update on Epidermolysis Bullosa, International Working Group for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Leiden, Netherlands. September 14, 2013.
"Stem Cell Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa", Stem Cell Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa, Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization Gordon Conference, Lucca, Italy. May 16, 2013.
"Bone Marrow Transplantation Has Better Outcomes than Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa", Bone Marrow Transplantation Has Better Outcomes than Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, Plenary Session, Society of Investigative Dermatology, Edinburgh, Scotland. May 09, 2013.
"Blood to Skin: Transplantation and regenerative medicine", Blood to Skin: Transplantation and regenerative medicine, Keynote Lecture, Charles University Medical School, Prague, Czech Republic. April 25, 2013.
"Transplantation for Bone Marrow Failures", Transplantation for Bone Marrow Failures, 6th International Symposium on MDA and Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes in Childhood, Prague, Czech Republic. November 07, 2012.
"Refining Bone Marrow Transplantation in EB: Where now? And where next?", Refining Bone Marrow Transplantation in EB: Where now? And where next?, DebRA International Conference, Marbella, Spain. November 05, 2012.
"Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Epidermolysis Bullosa", Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Epidermolysis Bullosa, Nobel Conference on Hematopoietic Stem Cells: From Basic Science to Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden. June 20, 2012.
Grants and Patents

Grants and Patents

Selected Grants

Award: Autologous Revertant Mosaic Fibroblasts for Wound Healing in Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Principal Investigator: Jakub Tolar
Sponsoring Organization: EB Research Partnership
Award Dates: 2022 - 2023
Award: Skin-targeted Cell Therapy for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Principal Investigator: Jakub Tolar
Sponsoring Organization: NIH/NIAMS R01-AR063070
Award Dates: 2020 - 2025

Patents

Talen-based gene correction. Issued: 2016
Compositions and Methods for the Treatment of Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Issued: 2014
TALEN-Based Gene Correction. Issued: 2014
Cell therapy for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders. Issued: 2011
MAPC Administration for the Treatment of Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Issued: 2007
Contact

Contact

Address

C607 Mayo
Minneapolis, MN 55455