Monica Pillon Ph.D.

Monica Pillon

Monica Pillon
Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Structural Biology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Gene Expression; Metalloenzymes; Mitochondria; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease; Protein Function and Structure; RNA; Structural Biology

Contact Information
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 7168292519
mpillon@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Dysregulation of gene expression is a universal feature of disease that drives pathogenic phenotypes and patient outcomes. A central determinant of gene expression is mRNA abundance, highlighting the delicate balance of RNA synthesis, processing, and decay. Ribonucleases are central players in RNA processing and decay pathways. However, the role of the 122+ annotated human ribonucleases in health and disease remains largely unexplored. This is compounded by a limited understanding of the mechanisms that govern ribonuclease RNA selectivity and activation. My lab leads a multidisciplinary research program that combines RNA-protein biochemistry, enzymology, structural biology (e.g. cryo-EM), and cell biology. Our program provides a framework to understand how ribonucleases support cellular homeostasis and dysregulate gene expression in disease. Our long-term goal is to provide a foundation for the translational science community in studying and drugging this new class of therapeutic targets.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH) (2020)
  • Fellowship, McMaster University (2015)
  • PhD, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University (2014)

Employment:

  • Assistant Professor, Structural Biology, University at Buffalo (2024-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine (2021–2024)

Awards and Honors:

  • NIEHS Paper of the Year (2021)
  • RiboClub's Best Micro-talk Award (2020)
  • Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal (2014)
  • NIEHS Fellow of the Year (2018)
  • International Union of Crystallography's Poster Award (2014)

Research Expertise:

  • Cell Biology: Using model human cell lines, we perturb discrete RNA processing signals to determine their importance in gene regulation and cell function.
  • Enzymology: We harness the power of enzyme studies to discover the mechanism of action of ribonucleases and the role of their regulatory partners.
  • Integrated Structural Biology: We combine structural approaches such as cryo Electron Microscopy (CryoEM), X-ray crystallography, and chemical crosslinking mass spectrometry to reveal the architecture of RNA processing machines in action.
  • Reconstitution of Ribonucleoprotein Assemblies: Our lab specializes in the production and assembly of historically refractory RNA processing molecular machines.

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • July 2022–June 2027
    New Mechanisms of the Pseudouridine Synthase Module in Mitoribosome Assembly
    NIGMS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,000,000

Journal Articles:

See all (20 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Schellenberg MJ, Maheshwari S, Pillon MC. (2022) In: Recombinant Protein Production Using Mammalian Expression Systems. Encyclopedia of Cell Biology. Second Edition.

Presentations:

  • "Define the Role of Ribonucleases in Gene Regulation." 33rd Annual Buffalo-Hamilton-Toronto Symposium (2024)
  • "Define the Role of Ribonucleases in Gene Regulation" 28th Annual Buffalo DNA Replication & Repair Symposium (2024)
  • "Defining the Role of Ribonucleases in Gene Regulation" University of Houston: Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling; Seminar (2024)
  • "Defining the Role of Ribonucleases in Gene Regulation" Houston Methodist: Center for RNA Therapeutics; Seminar (2024)
  • "Defining the Role of Ribonucleases in Gene Regulation" University of Toronto: Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Seminar (2024)

Service Activities:

  • Buffalo RNA Symposium; co-organizer of scientific symposium (2024–present)
  • UB's Department of Biochemistry - 1 candidate; Preliminary Examiner (2024–present)
  • PPBS Admissions Committee; Committee Member (2024)
  • Nature Communications; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2024)
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation); Scientific Reviewer for grant proposal. (2024)
  • BCM's CryoEM/ET Core Advisory Committee; Committee Member (2024)
  • BCM's Responsible Conduct of Research Training; Discussion Leader (2024)
  • BCM's CPSB qualification examiner - 3 candidates; Qualification Examiner (2024)
  • Nucleic Acids Research; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2024)

School News:

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Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 7168292519
mpillon@buffalo.edu