Faculty
Elizabeth A Heller, PhD

Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Department: Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
SCTR 10-115 Smilow
Philadelphia, PA 19104
SCTR 10-115 Smilow
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Publications
Education:
HS
Stuyvesant High School, 1998.
BA (Biology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
PhD (Molecular Biology)
The Rockefeller University, 2009.
Permanent linkHS
Stuyvesant High School, 1998.
BA (Biology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
PhD (Molecular Biology)
The Rockefeller University, 2009.
Description of Research Expertise
The Heller Lab studies the mechanisms by which epigenome remodeling regulates neuronal gene function and behavior. To approach this problem, we directly manipulate histone and DNA modifications at specific genes in vivo, using viral delivery of novel epigenetic editing tools, such as zinc-finger transcription factors and CRISPR/dCas9-fusion proteins. We use high-throughput sequencing to identify genes at which drug- or stress-regulation of a known epigenomic signature correlates with changes in expression. We can then target individual modifications and examine their causal relevance to transcriptional regulation and subsequent behavioral adaptations. This ‘bottom-up’ approach allows direct elucidation of the causal relevance of epigenetic remodeling in the brain. Because addiction and depression persist long after cessation of the harmful experience, epigenetic remodeling is an attractive underlying mechanism and presents an intriguing target for therapeutic intervention.Selected Publications
Rodgers S, Heller EA, Corder G: Psilocybin-enhanced fear extinction linked to bidirectional modulation of cortical ensembles. Nature Neuroscience 2025 Notes: Accepted.Quiles CR, Simmons S, Dodson O, Alday M, Fontanez NC, Garrison A, Shafieichaharberoud F, Huang X, Hu Q, Heller EA, Mazei-Robison MS, Caico S: Identification of a novel population of neuromedin S expressing neurons in the ventral tegmental area that promote morphine-elicited behavior. The Journal of Neuroscience 2025 Notes: Accepted.
Bhatnagar A, Heller EA: Alternative splicing in addiction. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development 2025 Notes: Accepted.
Heller EA, Bintu L, Rots MG: Towards clinical application of epigenetic editing. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2025 Notes: Invited review, Under revision.
Stein G, Aly JS, Manzolillo A, Lange L, Riege K, Hussain I, Heller EA, Cubillos S, Ernst T, Hübner CA, Turecki G, Hoffman S, Engmann O: Transthyretin Orchestrates Vitamin B12–Induced Stress Resilience. Biological Psychiatry July 2024.
Zhang S, Heil BJ, Mao W, Chikina M, Greene CS, Heller EA: MousiPLIER: A Mouse Pathway-Level Information Extractor Model. eNeuro 11(6), June 2024.
Hamilton PJ, Lim CJ, Nestler EJ, Heller EA: Neuroepigenetic editing. Epigenome Editing: Methods & Protocols. 2nd Ed. Rots MG & Jeltsch A (eds.). 2, April 2024.
Hamilton PJ, Lim CJ, Heller EA.: Viral expression of epigenome editing tools in rodent brain using stereotaxic surgery techniques. Epigenome Editing: Methods & Protocols. 2nd Ed. April 2024.
Dawicki-McKenna J, Felix A, Waxman E, Cheng C, Amado D, Ranum P, Bogush A, Dungan L, Maguire JA, Gagne A, Heller EA, French D, Davidson BL, Prosser BL: Mapping PTBP2 binding in human brain identifies SYNGAP1 as a target for therapeutic splice switching. Nature Comms 14, May 2023.
Bhatnagar A, Krick K, Karisetty BC, Armour EM, Heller EA, Elefant F: Tip60's novel RNA-binding function modulates alternative splicing of pre-mRNA targets implicated in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci 43(13), March 2023.
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