Innovative Biotech Solutions
The Science Behind
Our Approach
Rafias’ research builds on over a decade of neuroscience and epigenetics work at the University of Pennsylvania’s Heller Lab. Our studies focus on activating the transcription factor Nr4a1, a key regulator of neural homeostasis, to reverse cocaine-induced changes in the brain and restore recovery pathways.
Nr4a1 suppresses cocaine-induced behavior via epigenetic regulation of homeostatic target genes
Reveals how activating Nr4a1 reduces cocaine-seeking behavior and restores neural homeostasis through epigenetic regulation.
Authors
Carpenter MD, Hu Q, Bond AM, Lombroso SI, Czarnecki KS, Lim CJ, Song H, Wimmer ME, Pierce RC, Heller EA.
Journal + Citation
Nature Communications. 2020;11(1):504.
Cocaine regulation of Nr4a1 chromatin bivalency and mRNA in male and female mice
Demonstrates sex-specific epigenetic regulation of Nr4a1, offering insights into biological differences in cocaine response.
Authors
Fischer DK, Krick KS, Han C, Woolf MT, Heller EA.
Journal + Citation
Scientific Reports. 2022;12(1):15735.
Additional Publications from Heller Lab
Explore the full body of work advancing molecular neuroscience and addiction research. The Heller Lab’s work bridges molecular neuroscience and behavioral research.
Dr. Heller with members of her research lab at the University of Pennsylvania.