University of Pennsylvania · PharmacologyHeller Lab
Elizabeth A Heller · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Elizabeth Heller's lab studies the effects of epigenetic modifications on behavior, particularly in the context of substance use disorders, such as cocaine addiction. By using innovative techniques like CRISPR for locus-specific epigenetic editing, the lab aims to understand how changes at the molecular level can influence gene expression and behavior, especially in response to stress and drug exposure. The ultimate goal is to uncover potential therapeutic targets to address addiction-related issues.
substance use disordersepigeneticsCRISPRcocaine addictiongene expressionneuroadaptationalternative splicingtranscription factorsbehavioral neuroscience
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of the histone methyltransferase Setd2 in addiction behaviors.
AIM 02Explore the epigenetic regulation of Cdk5 in response to stress and cocaine exposure.
AIM 03Determine the mechanisms of persistent gene expression following cocaine abstinence.
AIM 04Identify interactions between RNA-binding proteins and Setd2.
AIM 05Assess non-enzymatic functions of histone modifying enzymes in addiction.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR/dCas9epigenetic editingcell-type specific profilinggene expression analysismouse modelsbehavioral assaysRNA sequencingWestern blothistone modification analysis
Output against the department
Publications90bottom 21% of dept.360th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.1kbottom 31% of dept.319th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.