The American Heart Association will award its Basic Research Prize to Peter Tontonoz, M.D., Ph.D., distinguished professor at UCLA, during Scientific Sessions 2025 in recognition of his transformative contributions to understanding lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease. The award ceremony will take place during the Presidential Session on November 9, 2025, in New Orleans. Dr. Tontonoz's research has fundamentally changed scientific understanding of how the body regulates fat levels, from individual cells to entire organ systems. His discoveries have provided critical insights that help scientists and doctors develop better treatments for heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions.
According to Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2025-2026 volunteer president, Dr. Tontonoz's research has transformed the scientific understanding of lipid metabolism and its role in cardiometabolic disease. Among his most significant contributions is the identification of an E3 ligase that targets and degrades the LDL receptor, opening new avenues for cholesterol-lowering therapies beyond statins. His work on the nuclear receptor Liver X Receptor (LXR) demonstrated the intersection between immunology and metabolism, helping establish the field of immunometabolism. Dr. Tontonoz also discovered important membrane phospholipid remodeling enzymes affecting intestinal and liver physiology and characterized a novel cholesterol transfer protein called Aster, which moves cholesterol from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum and is crucial for dietary lipid uptake.
It's a privilege to be recognized by the Association, a vital partner in advancing cardiovascular science, said Dr. Tontonoz. Lipids such as cholesterol are critical determinants of cardiovascular disease, but there is still much to learn about how they affect the body. His research mission focuses on illuminating how fat-related processes influence both normal tissue function and disease pathology to find new ways to prevent or treat cardiovascular conditions. Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Tontonoz has mentored multiple scientists who now lead successful research groups and serves on several National Institutes of Health study sections and editorial boards for peer-reviewed scientific journals.
His early work as a graduate student included identifying PPAR-gamma as the master regulator of adipose tissue development and SREBP1c, which controls fat production in the body. With more than 220 peer-reviewed article citations, his work continues to influence cardiovascular research globally. This recognition highlights the ongoing importance of basic research in developing new approaches to combat cardiovascular diseases that remain leading causes of mortality worldwide. The American Heart Association's award underscores how fundamental discoveries in lipid biology can translate into practical therapeutic strategies for complex metabolic disorders.
