معرفی
Els Henckaerts is a Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, where she serves as head of the Trellis Research Group and Virus-Host Interactions and Therapeutic Approaches (VITA) Research Group. She additionally holds leadership roles as division head of the Virology Division Group 4 – Rega and is an active member of the KU Leuven Brain Institute and Leuven Institute for Rare Diseases.
Her research integrates virology, molecular biology, and gene therapy with emphasis on adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector development for rare genetic disorders. Current investigations focus on dual AAV intein-based systems for DFNB9 deafness, nanobody-conjugated vectors for enhanced targeting specificity, and preclinical Parkinson's disease therapies. Her work bridges fundamental viral mechanisms with translational applications in inherited sensory and neurodegenerative conditions.
Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant themes in AAV vector engineering, analytical characterization methods, and rare disease applications. Key trends include standardization of rAAV production processes, novel conjugation technologies for tissue-specific delivery, and advanced quantification techniques using digital droplet PCR and nanopore sequencing.
Henckaerts leads multiple major initiatives including the European Research Alliance for Rare Diseases (2024-2031), an integrated AAV therapy development ecosystem (2025-2030), and the Gene Therapy Innovation Training Network (GET-IN). Her grant portfolio demonstrates significant funding for translational gene therapy projects with clinical endpoints.
The Trellis Research Group operates across KU Leuven's Herestraat and Gaston Geenslaan campuses, maintaining specialized facilities for vector production, preclinical testing, and analytical characterization. The team collaborates extensively with clinical partners through the Rega Institute and participates in European consortia focused on rare disease therapeutics.
