Bickerton Erica

Dr Erica Bickerton is Group Leader of the Coronavirus group at The Pirbright Institute. Erica’s current research utilises molecular virology, next generation sequencing and reverse genetics to characterise the pathogenicity determinants of the gammacoronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Infectious bronchitis is the most economically important infectious disease affecting chickens in the UK and affects not only the production of meat-type birds but also the quality and production levels of eggs from layer and breeder birds. IBV is prevalent in all types of poultry flocks globally and continues to be responsible for economic losses and welfare problems in chickens. The aim of Erica’s research is to develop rationally attenuated vaccines for the better control of infectious bronchitis virus and other coronaviruses. Erica has strong links to major veterinary pharmaceutical companies, is a member of the Pirbright Institute Animal Welfare & Ethical Review Board (AWERB) and was elected to the Microbiology Society virology division committee in 2014.