Gene Therapy
Elena Herrera’s group is dedicated to developing a cure for HIV infection using novel CRISPR-Cas methods. CRISPR-Cas, a powerful gene-editing tool, can selectively attack and inactivate integrated HIV DNA genomes in infected cells. Her research focuses on the viral delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells where HIV forms reservoirs, which are major obstacles to a cure.
A key aspect of her work is the construction of a single all-in-one vector, which is crucial for the future success of HIV gene therapy. Her group optimizes novel expression systems and studies the variables that influence the outcomes of HIV editing by various CRISPR-Cas systems. Additionally, she develops systems for in vivo targeting of relevant HIV reservoir cells, an essential step for translating this therapeutic strategy into clinical use.
Elena has established several strategic collaborations to create viral vectors with specific tropism for HIV reservoir cells. Additionally, her group has developed CRISPR-Cas strategies to target other viral genomes and new diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. More recently, her research has focused on developing antibodies designed to block new infections and enhance the immune eradication of HIV.
Research team
Elena Herrera Carrillo, PhD
Associate Professor, specialty: Molecular virology and gene therapy
Elena Herrera Carrillo holds a doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the University of Granada, Spain. She conducted her PhD research (2006-2010) at the University of Barcelona, focusing on developing synthetic peptides from the E2 protein of GB virus C as new HIV-1 inhibitors. In 2012, she moved to the Berkhout laboratory at the University of Amsterdam as a postdoctoral researcher. She made this career shift to contribute to research aimed at developing a safe and effective gene therapy for HIV-1, focusing on RNA interference as an antiviral mechanism. She was instrumental in developing a novel class of small RNA regulators, the so-called AgoshRNA molecules, which hold promise as therapeutic agents.
In 2018, Elena started her own research group at the Amsterdam UMC, focusing on novel CRISPR-Cas methods to attack the integrated HIV DNA genome to achieve a cure. Based on her previous work on therapeutic peptides, she also decided to develop transgene constructs that mimic these molecules. She has taken a multidisciplinary approach, combining molecular biology, virology, immunology, and gene therapy to develop an original class of anti-HIV agents.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has also expanded her research to include gene therapy for SARS-CoV-2, developing CRISPR-Cas strategies to target the viral RNA genome. Additionally, she has begun developing new diagnostic tools for infectious diseases, leveraging her expertise to address emerging global health challenges.
Yuanling Bao: PhD student working on CRISPR-Cas12-based therapeutics towards an HIV cure.
Zhenghao Yu: PhD student focusing on the design and testing of novel CRISPR-Cas9f therapeutics against HIV
- Pascal Kroon: PhD student focused on testing the immunogenicity and off-target effects of CRISPR-Cas systems to ensure the safety and efficacy of these gene-editing tools.
- Yifan Liu: PhD student designing CRISPR-Cas13 therapeutics against RNA viruses to inhibit viral replication. She is also developing new diagnostic tools based on CRISPR-Cas.
- Ana Alcalá Lalinde: Research technician who supports the team in molecular and cellular biology, viral vector production, and viral infections.
- Antonio Astorga Gamaza: Postdoctoral researcher working on developing and optimizing antibodies aimed at blocking new infections and boosting immune eradication of HIV.
Publications
Elena Herrera -Carrillo - Publications
News
Elena was awarded the Aspasia grant (NWO), which is part of Vidi, aimed to accelerate the advancement of women scientists to the level of associate professor or full professor. She was also awarded an R01 NIH grant as a co-applicant to attack the integrated HIV DNA genome by CRISPR-Cas to reach a cure.
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) and Aidsfonds have partnered to fund a six-year research project aimed at achieving a breakthrough in HIV cure. Elena represents Amsterdam UMC as a leader in the gene therapy work package within the consortium.
The Amsterdam UMC - Postdoc Career Bridging Grant gave Elena the opportunity to hire Antonio Astorga Gamaza as a postdoctoral researcher.
Recent advancements in gene therapy towards an HIV cure by Elena's group were presented at the ESCGT 2023 in Brussels and the global ESCMID 2024 in Barcelona.
- First description of novel AgoshRNA molecules for efficient induction of RNA interference.
- Description of dual promoter activity (Pol III and II) of the H1 promoter.
- CRISPR-Cas as antiviral approach (HIV and SARS-CoV-2)
Email: e.herreracarrillo@amsterdamumc.nl