About me

My name is Bertsy Goic, I am an illustrator and scientist with more than 15 years of research experience. I’m an engineer in Molecular Biotechnology and I have a PhD in Biotechnology. During the last few years, I have mixed my passion for illustration with my strong scientific background, to communicate science and create awareness on its value. Since 2018, I’m a full time illustrator and science communicator. I have experience illustrating scientific articles, reviews, covers, grant applications, zines and more. I have worked with researchers at the Institut Pasteur (Paris, France), Institut Curie (Paris, France), Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (Paris, France), Institut Imagine (Paris, France), Hôpital Saint Louis (Paris, France), UCSF (California, USA), Universidad Mayor (Santiago, Chile) and Universidad Austral de Chile (Valdivia, Chile), Fundación Ciencia&Vida (Santiago, Chile) among others.

I love challenges and learning new things, so if you have an idea or a project, don’t hesitate!


If you are interested in my scientific background, here are my publications:

Poirier EZ, Goic B et al. (2018) Dicer-2-Dependent Generation of Viral DNA from Defective Genomes of RNA Viruses Modulates Antiviral Immunity in Insects. Cell Host Microbe. Mar 14;23(3):353-365.

Goic B, StaplefordK et al. Nat Commun. Sep 1;7:12410.

Karlikow M, Goic B et al. (2016) Drosophila cells use nanotube-like structures to transfer dsRNA and RNAi machinery between cells. Scientific Reports.July 2016.

Karlikow M, Goic B, Saleh MC. (2014) RNAi and antiviral defense in Drosophila: Setting up a systemic immune response. Dev Comp Immunol. Jan;42(1):85-92.

Goic B et al. (2013) RNA virus persistence in Drosophila is controlled by siRNAs produced from de novo synthesized virus cDNA. Nat Immunol. Apr;14(4):396-403.

Goic B, & Saleh MC. (2012) Living with the enemy: viral persistent infections from a friendly viewpoint. Curr Opin Microbiol. 15(4):531-7.

Vodovar N, Goic B et al. (2011) In silico reconstruction of viral genomes from small RNAs improves viral-derived siRNA profiling. J Virol. 85(21): 11016-21.

Saleh MC et al (2009) Antiviral immunity in Drosophila requires systemic RNA interference spread. Nature. 458:346-350.

Goic B et al. (2008) The nucleoprotein and the viral RNA of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) can localize in the nucleolus of infected cells. Virology. 15;379(1):55-63.


CHAPTERS AND COLLECTIVES VOLUMES

Goic B & Saleh MC. RNA interference and its role in antiviral defense. In Association des Anciens Elèves de l’Institut Pasteur (AAEIP). 2008 Dec;50(197):157-162.

Goic B & Saleh MC. RNAi: an antiviral defense system in insects. In RNAi and Viruses: Current Innovations and Future Trends (Horizon Scientific Press). 2009.


PATENTS

Burzio L, Wilhelm V, Valenzuela S, Valenzuela P, and Goic B. Multi-competent vaccine formulated by ISA virus recombinant proteins to protect farming fishes. Department of Trade and industry (DTI). Reference number 67.492, Chile, 2008