Biography
Anne Simon received her B.A. from the University of California, San Diego and her Ph.D. from Indiana University. She was a professor at the University of Massachusetts for 13 years and has been in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Maryland since June 2000.
Dr. Simon’s research centers on RNA viruses of plants, in particular a new virus cohort known as umbravirus-like viruses. These viruses are unique in lacking traditional encoded movement proteins and at least one group uses a host plant RNA movement called phloem protein 2 instead. Dr Simon’s lab studies the unusual biology of these viruses focusing on how RNA structures dictate functions in replication and translation, and how the viruses induce systemic acquired susceptibility, making other pathogens more infectious. In 2019, Dr. Simon co-founded the Agbiotech company Silvec Biologics, which centers on developing and using RNA viruses as vectors to deliver therapeutics into plants to mitigate plant diseases.
She is a recipient of the International Franski Prize for Research in Plant Virology, the Norma Allewell Prize for Entrepreneurship, and, in 2014, was elected a fellow of the Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Simon received the highest university teaching honor at both of her institutions and currently teaches a course on RNA Biology and Therapeutics. Dr. Simon recently stepped down as the head of the University of Maryland Virology Program, a joint program with the NIH, after 18 years.
Little-known fun facts: Dr. Simon was the science advisor on the television series, The X-Files, for all 11 seasons and has a story writing credit for one episode. She is the author of “The Real Science Behind the X-Files: Microbes, Meteorites and Mutants,” published by Simon and Schuster. She is also an enthusiastic equestrian and upper-level dressage rider with her PRE Andalusian, Tormento.
Teaching
- Introduction to Cells and Molecules (for majors and non-majors) (BSCI105)
- Bioethics (CBMG688B)
- RNA Biology and Therapeutics (BSCI436)
Graduate Program Affiliations
- BISI-Molecular & Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Research Interests
We use small plus-strand RNA viruses to study sequences and structures involved in translation and replication and the switch between these two activities, which are incompatible with each other. We also study the evolution of 3' translational enhancers and the overlap between translation elements and replication elements.
Precise temporal control is needed for RNA viral genomes to translate sufficient replication-required products before clearing ribosomes and initiating replication. We study the switch between translation and replication using small RNA virus model systems that are translated using a cap-independent mechanism: Turnip crinkle virus (TCV), Saguaro cactus virus (SCV), and Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV). We recently discovered a new paradigm for translation, where a 3’ translational enhancer in TCV overlaps an internal tRNA-like structure that binds to 60S ribosomal subunits. We investigate the higher order structure in the region and have found that the tRNA-like structure forms a stable scaffold that allows for simultaneous interactions with external sequences through base pairings on both sides of its large internal symmetrical loop. Binding of TCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to the region potentiates a widespread conformational shift with substantial rearrangement of the element required for efficient ribosome binding. The 3’ end of TCV folds into a compact, highly interactive structure allowing RdRp access to multiple elements including the 3’ end, which causes structural changes that potentiate the shift between translation and replication. Surprisingly, only one other virus in the same genus as TCV contains a tRNA-like structure in the 3’UTR, and thus we investigate SCV to determine if its Y-shaped structure performs similar functions.
Education & Positions
- B.A., University of California San Diego
- Ph.D., Indiana University, 1982
- Postdocs, Indiana University and University of California San Diego
