Erin Doherty
@erinedoherty.bsky.social
Postdoc @ Doudna Lab, UC Berkeley 🧬 | Chemical & Structural Biology | Immunity Mechanisms | CRISPR | RNA-Editing |
F32 NRSA | Berkeley Chancellor's Fellow
UC Davis Beal Lab Alum | Former CIRM, NIH F31 & NIH T32
F32 NRSA | Berkeley Chancellor's Fellow
UC Davis Beal Lab Alum | Former CIRM, NIH F31 & NIH T32
This whole thread.
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
This whole thread.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Highly recommend this position for anyone looking for a technician job! Erin is a wonderful mentor to junior scientists, and her work is awesome!
I'm hiring a lab technician to help me explore some exciting new questions about virus-host interactions! Biochemistry and/or mammalian cell culture experience is desired.
Apply to work with us! careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucm/EMPL...
October 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Highly recommend this position for anyone looking for a technician job! Erin is a wonderful mentor to junior scientists, and her work is awesome!
I'm hiring a lab technician to help me explore some exciting new questions about virus-host interactions! Biochemistry and/or mammalian cell culture experience is desired.
October 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I'm hiring a lab technician to help me explore some exciting new questions about virus-host interactions! Biochemistry and/or mammalian cell culture experience is desired.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
A little late to the Panoptes party, but I’m delighted to share that our paper is published! 👁️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The Panoptes system uses decoy cyclic nucleotides to defend against phage - Nature
The Panoptes antiphage system defends bacteria by detecting phage-encoded counter-defences that sequester cyclic nucleotide signals, triggering membrane disruption and highlighting a broader strategy of sensing immune evasion through second-messenger surveillance.
www.nature.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A little late to the Panoptes party, but I’m delighted to share that our paper is published! 👁️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Erin Doherty
My pleasure @erinedoherty.bsky.social and @benmorehouse.bsky.social - for me this was the stand-out discovery of the last year in the field
And thanks to @mfwhite2.bsky.social for this great perspective on both works! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Bacteria use a decoy defence molecule to set a trap for viruses
Some bacterial-infecting viruses use ‘sponges’ to mop up defence molecules, but bacteria can fight back by responding when a sponge captures decoy molecules.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:06 AM
My pleasure @erinedoherty.bsky.social and @benmorehouse.bsky.social - for me this was the stand-out discovery of the last year in the field
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Now online at @nature.com we show how the Panoptes defense system protects against viruses that attempt immune evasion - and expands our understanding of the role of oligonucleotides in immunity.
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Our story describing the Panoptes bacterial immune defense system is now finally peer-reviewed and published today! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The Panoptes system uses decoy cyclic nucleotides to defend against phage - Nature
The Panoptes antiphage system defends bacteria by detecting phage-encoded counter-defences that sequester cyclic nucleotide signals, triggering membrane disruption and highlighting a broader strategy of sensing immune evasion through second-messenger surveillance.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Our story describing the Panoptes bacterial immune defense system is now finally peer-reviewed and published today! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Now online at @nature.com we show how the Panoptes defense system protects against viruses that attempt immune evasion - and expands our understanding of the role of oligonucleotides in immunity.
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Now online at @nature.com we show how the Panoptes defense system protects against viruses that attempt immune evasion - and expands our understanding of the role of oligonucleotides in immunity.
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out this work co-led with @benadler.bsky.social here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Bacteria use a decoy defense molecule to set a trap for viruses @doudna-lab.bsky.social @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social @ucirvine.bsky.social @aaronwhiteley.bsky.social @colorado.edu @aesully98.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 1, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Bacteria use a decoy defense molecule to set a trap for viruses @doudna-lab.bsky.social @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social @ucirvine.bsky.social @aaronwhiteley.bsky.social @colorado.edu @aesully98.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Thank you to everyone who helped make this story happen!
Obligatory meme to summarize:
“How I imagine phage facing CBASS and mCpol”
Obligatory meme to summarize:
“How I imagine phage facing CBASS and mCpol”
October 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Thank you to everyone who helped make this story happen!
Obligatory meme to summarize:
“How I imagine phage facing CBASS and mCpol”
Obligatory meme to summarize:
“How I imagine phage facing CBASS and mCpol”
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Out today in @nature.com, a new paper from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab, co-first authors @erinedoherty.bsky.social + @benadler.bsky.social and collaborators at @ucsandiego.bsky.social unveils a powerful new defense strategy in the arms war between viruses + microbes. Read here: ow.ly/mPQI50X5g68
October 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Out today in @nature.com, a new paper from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab, co-first authors @erinedoherty.bsky.social + @benadler.bsky.social and collaborators at @ucsandiego.bsky.social unveils a powerful new defense strategy in the arms war between viruses + microbes. Read here: ow.ly/mPQI50X5g68
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Huge congrats for such an amazing story, @benadler.bsky.social and @erinedoherty.bsky.social!!
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Huge congrats for such an amazing story, @benadler.bsky.social and @erinedoherty.bsky.social!!
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Congrats to Doudna lab postdoc @erinedoherty.bsky.social! 🎊
Congrats to our 2025 MCB Outstanding Postdoc Award recipients who are being honored for their excellence in research, leadership, and service! 👏🎉Erin Doherty @erinedoherty.bsky.social, Kevin Eislmayr, Naohiro Kuwayama, & Joseph Lobel
mcb.berkeley.edu/news-and-eve...
mcb.berkeley.edu/news-and-eve...
September 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Congrats to Doudna lab postdoc @erinedoherty.bsky.social! 🎊
Reposted by Erin Doherty
The AAUP stands in full solidarity w/HBCU faculty, staff, students, admin, & alumni. We call on law enforcement & governmental authorities to treat these threats w/ the seriousness they deserve, investigate thoroughly, hold responsible parties accountable, & strengthen preventive measures on campus.
AAUP Condemns Terrorist Threats to HBCUs
The AAUP condemns unequivocally the recent and recurring bomb and terroristic threats against multiple HBCUs. Threats targeting HBCUs are attacks not only on individuals but on the legacy of resilienc...
www.aaup.org
September 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The AAUP stands in full solidarity w/HBCU faculty, staff, students, admin, & alumni. We call on law enforcement & governmental authorities to treat these threats w/ the seriousness they deserve, investigate thoroughly, hold responsible parties accountable, & strengthen preventive measures on campus.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Congratulations to IGI's @erinedoherty.bsky.social who has been selected as one of the Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellows! 🥂
I'm SO thrilled to share that I was selected as a Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral fellow (!!!)
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
Current Fellows | Equity & Inclusion
diversity.berkeley.edu
August 27, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Congratulations to IGI's @erinedoherty.bsky.social who has been selected as one of the Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellows! 🥂
Reposted by Erin Doherty
📢 Preprint out!
Together with @reneechang.bsky.social @kranzuschlab.bsky.social and the amazing @soreklab.bsky.social, we explored viral sponges to map their diversity and function.
Discovered huge diversity, including sponges that inhibit Pycsar & Type IV Thoeris!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Together with @reneechang.bsky.social @kranzuschlab.bsky.social and the amazing @soreklab.bsky.social, we explored viral sponges to map their diversity and function.
Discovered huge diversity, including sponges that inhibit Pycsar & Type IV Thoeris!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Functional diversity of phage sponge proteins that sequester host immune signals
Multiple bacterial immune systems, including CBASS, Thoeris, and Pycsar, employ signaling molecules that activate the immune response following phage infection. Phages counteract bacterial immune sign...
www.biorxiv.org
August 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM
📢 Preprint out!
Together with @reneechang.bsky.social @kranzuschlab.bsky.social and the amazing @soreklab.bsky.social, we explored viral sponges to map their diversity and function.
Discovered huge diversity, including sponges that inhibit Pycsar & Type IV Thoeris!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Together with @reneechang.bsky.social @kranzuschlab.bsky.social and the amazing @soreklab.bsky.social, we explored viral sponges to map their diversity and function.
Discovered huge diversity, including sponges that inhibit Pycsar & Type IV Thoeris!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
I'm SO thrilled to share that I was selected as a Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral fellow (!!!)
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
Current Fellows | Equity & Inclusion
diversity.berkeley.edu
August 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I'm SO thrilled to share that I was selected as a Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral fellow (!!!)
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
This program offers mentoring and a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the UC.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
The beautiful, ever-expanding universe of viral proteins targeting nucleotide immune signals!
Paper by @reneechang.bsky.social in @cp-molcell.bsky.social on a nucleotide sponge www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
and preprint by @doudna-lab.bsky.social on viral nucleases www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Paper by @reneechang.bsky.social in @cp-molcell.bsky.social on a nucleotide sponge www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
and preprint by @doudna-lab.bsky.social on viral nucleases www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A widespread family of viral sponge proteins reveals specific inhibition of nucleotide signals in anti-phage defense
Chang et al. discover anti-CBASS 4 (Acb4), a family of viral sponges that inhibits
bacterial immunity by sequestering nucleotide immune signals. Acb4 homologs in phages
that infect hosts across all ma...
www.cell.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The beautiful, ever-expanding universe of viral proteins targeting nucleotide immune signals!
Paper by @reneechang.bsky.social in @cp-molcell.bsky.social on a nucleotide sponge www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
and preprint by @doudna-lab.bsky.social on viral nucleases www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Paper by @reneechang.bsky.social in @cp-molcell.bsky.social on a nucleotide sponge www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
and preprint by @doudna-lab.bsky.social on viral nucleases www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Erin Doherty
So happy to share this new preprint, co-led by @erinedoherty.bsky.social! We found that 2H PDEs exceptionally widespread across the virome. They are also structurally diverse, which enables them to degrade nucleotide messengers involved in diverse bacterial immune systems.
Excited to share our new preprint co-led by @jnoms.bsky.social!
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Divergent viral phosphodiesterases for immune signaling evasion
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) and other short oligonucleotides play fundamental roles in immune system activation in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In response, viruses use phosphodiesterase...
www.biorxiv.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:41 PM
So happy to share this new preprint, co-led by @erinedoherty.bsky.social! We found that 2H PDEs exceptionally widespread across the virome. They are also structurally diverse, which enables them to degrade nucleotide messengers involved in diverse bacterial immune systems.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
New pre-print from Doudna lab members @erinedoherty.bsky.social & @jnoms.bsky.social ✨
Here we explore how recurrent adaptation of a single anti-defense protein fold enables evasion of distinct immune systems.
Here we explore how recurrent adaptation of a single anti-defense protein fold enables evasion of distinct immune systems.
Excited to share our new preprint co-led by @jnoms.bsky.social!
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Divergent viral phosphodiesterases for immune signaling evasion
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) and other short oligonucleotides play fundamental roles in immune system activation in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In response, viruses use phosphodiesterase...
www.biorxiv.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
New pre-print from Doudna lab members @erinedoherty.bsky.social & @jnoms.bsky.social ✨
Here we explore how recurrent adaptation of a single anti-defense protein fold enables evasion of distinct immune systems.
Here we explore how recurrent adaptation of a single anti-defense protein fold enables evasion of distinct immune systems.
Excited to share our new preprint co-led by @jnoms.bsky.social!
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Divergent viral phosphodiesterases for immune signaling evasion
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) and other short oligonucleotides play fundamental roles in immune system activation in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In response, viruses use phosphodiesterase...
www.biorxiv.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Excited to share our new preprint co-led by @jnoms.bsky.social!
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Here we reveal an exceptional diversity of viral 2H phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that enable immune evasion by selectively degrading oligonucleotide-based messengers. This 2H PDE fold has evolved striking substrate breath & specificity.
Reposted by Erin Doherty
Excited to finally share this work!
We noticed a pair of genes - a nuclease and a protease - shuffles between antiviral systems. We show how proteolysis activates the nuclease, triggering defense in known and unknown immune contexts.
tinyurl.com/2uwwy4ty
We noticed a pair of genes - a nuclease and a protease - shuffles between antiviral systems. We show how proteolysis activates the nuclease, triggering defense in known and unknown immune contexts.
tinyurl.com/2uwwy4ty
Recurrent acquisition of nuclease-protease pairs in antiviral immunity
Antiviral immune systems diversify by integrating new genes into existing pathways, creating new mechanisms of viral resistance. We identified genes encoding a predicted nuclease paired with a trypsin...
tinyurl.com
July 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Excited to finally share this work!
We noticed a pair of genes - a nuclease and a protease - shuffles between antiviral systems. We show how proteolysis activates the nuclease, triggering defense in known and unknown immune contexts.
tinyurl.com/2uwwy4ty
We noticed a pair of genes - a nuclease and a protease - shuffles between antiviral systems. We show how proteolysis activates the nuclease, triggering defense in known and unknown immune contexts.
tinyurl.com/2uwwy4ty