Peter Tontonoz, M.D., Ph.D., distinguished professor at the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Health, will receive the Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association during its Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans. The award recognizes Dr. Tontonoz's groundbreaking contributions to understanding cholesterol, fatty acid, and phospholipid metabolism, which have transformed scientific understanding of cardiometabolic diseases.
Dr. Tontonoz's research has uncovered fundamental mechanisms of how the body maintains fat balance from cellular to systemic levels, leading to improved treatments for heart disease, diabetes, and related conditions. His identification of an E3 ligase that targets and degrades the LDL receptor has opened new avenues for cholesterol-lowering therapies beyond statins. Additionally, his work on the nuclear receptor Liver X Receptor demonstrated the critical intersection between immunology and metabolism, helping establish the field of immunometabolism.
Among his most significant recent discoveries is the characterization of a novel cholesterol transfer protein called Aster, which moves cholesterol from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum and serves as a key factor in dietary lipid uptake. Dr. Tontonoz also discovered important membrane phospholipid remodeling enzymes that affect intestinal and liver physiology. These collective insights have deepened understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, paving the way for more precise and effective treatments that could benefit millions of patients worldwide.
Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2025-2026 volunteer president, stated that Dr. Tontonoz's scientific contributions to lipid metabolism impact every individual and that he is widely regarded as a brilliant and innovative leader in cardiovascular research. Dr. Tontonoz expressed that lipids such as cholesterol are critical determinants of cardiovascular disease, and his work aims to illuminate how fat-related processes influence both normal tissue function and disease pathology to find new prevention and treatment approaches.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Tontonoz has mentored numerous scientists who now lead research groups throughout the scientific community. He serves on several National Institutes of Health study sections and editorial boards for peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Genes & Development. The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025, where Dr. Tontonoz will receive his award, represents a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements in cardiovascular science and will be held November 7-10 in New Orleans.
