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UCLA's Dr. Tontonoz Wins Top Heart Research Prize for Lipid Metabolism Breakthroughs

UCLA's Dr. Peter Tontonoz receives American Heart Association's 2025 Basic Research Prize for groundbreaking work in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease treatment advancements.

Dr. Tontonoz's research directly impacts millions of people worldwide by advancing our understanding of cholesterol and lipid metabolism, which are fundamental to cardiovascular health. His discoveries have led to new treatment approaches for heart disease and diabetes, conditions that affect hundreds of millions globally. The development of cholesterol-lowering therapies beyond statins, enabled by his work on LDL receptor targeting and the Aster protein, offers hope for patients who don't respond to existing treatments. This research matters because cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and improved understanding of lipid metabolism could lead to more effective prevention strategies and personalized treatments that save lives and reduce healthcare costs.