Hello! I'm Erica
I am a researcher currently employed as a postdoctoral scholar at UCSD. I study the evolutionary implications and cell biology of bacteriophages that create a nucleus to enclose their DNA.
Check out my publications below.
I am also working on the theory of Viral Eukaryogenesis which postulates that viruses played a key role in the evolution of the first eukaryotic cell.
My newest research interests probe our understanding of biology and consciousness in light of quantum vacuum fluctuations.
Unified physics is revolutionizing the way we comprehend life and the universe.
Erica Birkholz, Ph.D.
Microbiologist
Research Interests:
Bacteriophages, Evolution, Consciousness,
Quantum Physics
Email:
Location:
Dana Point, California
Credentials:
Ph.D. Biology
B.S. Biochemistry & Cell Biology
PUBLICATIONS
I discovered a vortex of phage-encoded tubulin-like cytoskeletal filaments created upon nucleus-forming phage infection of E. coli.
​
Birkholz EA, Laughlin TG, Armbruster E, Suslov S, Lee J, Wittmann J, Corbett KD, Villa E, Pogliano J. A cytoskeletal vortex drives phage nucleus rotation during jumbo phage replication in E. coli. Cell Rep. 2022 Aug 16;40(7):111179. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111179. PMID: 35977483; PMCID: PMC9891218.
I found a "selfish" genetic element that provides a competitive advantage for the nucleus-forming phage it inhabits.
​
Birkholz EA, Morgan CJ, Laughlin TG, Lau RK, Prichard A, Rangarajan S, Meza GN, Lee J, Armbruster EG, Suslov S, Pogliano K, Meyer JR, Villa E, Corbett KD, Pogliano J. A mobile intron facilitates interference competition between co-infecting viruses. Science. 2024 Jul 5;385(6704):105-112. doi: 10.1126/science.adl1356. Epub 2024 Jul 4. PMID: 38963841.
We characterized speciation factors that separate gene pools of phages during co-infection.
​
A 2021 review of nucleus-forming phages.
​
Chaikeeratisak V, Birkholz EA, Pogliano J. The Phage Nucleus and PhuZ Spindle: Defining Features of the Subcellular Organization and Speciation of Nucleus-Forming Jumbo Phages. Front Microbiol. 2021 Jul 13;12:641317. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.641317. PMID: 34326818; PMCID: PMC8314001.
Nucleus-forming phage biology:
​
Morgan CJ, Enustun E, Armbruster EG, Birkholz EA, Prichard A, Forman T, Aindow A, Wannasrichan W, Peters S, Inlow K, Shepherd IL, Razavilar A, Chaikeeratisak V, Adler BA, Cress BF, Doudna JA, Pogliano K, Villa E, Corbett KD, Pogliano J. An essential and highly selective protein import pathway encoded by nucleus-forming phage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 May 7;121(19):e2321190121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2321190121. Epub 2024 Apr 30. PMID: 38687783; PMCID: PMC11087766.
​
Laughlin TG, Deep A, Prichard AM, Seitz C, Gu Y, Enustun E, Suslov S, Khanna K, Birkholz EA, Armbruster E, McCammon JA, Amaro RE, Pogliano J, Corbett KD, Villa E. Architecture and self-assembly of the jumbo bacteriophage nuclear shell. Nature. 2022 Aug;608(7922):429-435. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05013-4. Epub 2022 Aug 3. PMID: 35922510; PMCID: PMC9365700.
​
Nguyen KT, Sugie J, Khanna K, Egan ME, Birkholz EA, Lee J, Beierschmitt C, Villa E, Pogliano J. Selective transport of fluorescent proteins into the phage nucleus. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 10;16(6):e0251429. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251429. PMID: 34111132; PMCID: PMC8191949.
Nucleus-forming phage defense vs. host immunity:
​
Lau RK, Ye Q, Birkholz EA, Berg KR, Patel L, Mathews IT, Watrous JD, Ego K, Whiteley AT, Lowey B, Mekalanos JJ, Kranzusch PJ, Jain M, Pogliano J, Corbett KD. Structure and Mechanism of a Cyclic Trinucleotide-Activated Bacterial Endonuclease Mediating Bacteriophage Immunity. Mol Cell. 2020 Feb 20;77(4):723-733.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.12.010. Epub 2020 Jan 10. PMID: 31932164; PMCID: PMC7065454.
​
Ye Q, Lau RK, Mathews IT, Birkholz EA, Watrous JD, Azimi CS, Pogliano J, Jain M, Corbett KD. HORMA Domain Proteins and a Trip13-like ATPase Regulate Bacterial cGAS-like Enzymes to Mediate Bacteriophage Immunity. Mol Cell. 2020 Feb 20;77(4):709-722.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.12.009. Epub 2020 Jan 10. PMID: 31932165; PMCID: PMC7036143.
EXPERIENCE
2022-Current
Postdoctoral Scholar
UC SAN DIEGO
Characterizing the cell biology of nucleus-forming phages and elucidating the way they shift our understanding of viral evolution. Addressing the theory of Viral Eukaryogenesis in the context of nucleus-forming phages.
2022-Current
Chief Business Development Officer
VELOXSCI PUBLISHING, INC.
Business development, marketing & sales, content generation and management, copyediting & graphic design, administration, company management. This is a start-up in the online education space.
2016-2022
UC SAN DIEGO
Graduate Student Researcher
Discovered a cytoskeletal vortex created by a nucleus-forming phage in E. coli. Described the first intracellular speciation factors that isolate gene pools of phages during co-infection. Collaborations revealed details of nucleus-forming phage biology and defense against host cell immune systems. Goeddel Chancellor's Award and Cellular Molecular Genetics Training Grant recipient.
2017-2019
Instructional Assistant
UC SAN DIEGO
Assisted instruction of undergraduate upper division microbiology, cell biology, and the hands-on phage discovery lab The Phage Genomics Research Initiative. High satisfaction and recommendation remarks from students and professors.
2013-2016
Undergraduate Researcher
UC SAN DIEGO
Performed research to discover novel antibiotics produced by bacteria from unique environments such as caves of New Mexico and cheese cultures. Participated in Muir Musical's Legally Blonde and the Daughters of Triton a cappella group.
2012-2012
Frontiers of Science Institute
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO
Investigated the signaling pathways of the bone morphogenesis protein (bmp) family in the stem cell niche of the Drosophila melanogaster testes. Utilized microdisection, immunostaining, and confocal microscopy as a high school student during this summer program. Organized the Open House Poster Session and sang the national anthem.
EDUCATION
2016-2022
Doctoral Degree
UC SAN DIEGO
Ph.D. program in the Division of Biological Sciences
2013-2016
Bachelor's Degree
UC SAN DIEGO
B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology magna cum laude
EXPERTISE
RESEARCH
Analyzing and synthesizing research works. Performing wet lab research with particular strength in microbiology, molecular biology, and microscopy. All with 12 years of experience.
COMMUNICATION
8 years writing 9 published academic journal articles. 12 years writing biological research reports and 15 years giving presentations. 15 years of public speaking and performing on stage. Managing a start-up. Founding and leading graduate student organizations.
DESIGN & EDITING
Graphic design, website design, and marketing for 3 years. Expertise with scientific businesses, presentations, and figures, as well as educational graphics over 8 years of experience. Strong copyeditor.
SKILLS
Adobe - Proficient
Wet Lab - Advanced
Spanish - Proficient
Microsoft ExCel - Advanced
Power Point - Advanced
Microsoft Word - Advanced