Peter Tontonoz

Peter Tontonoz

Peter Tontonoz is an American physician-scientist and professor known for his research in the field of molecular biology and lipid metabolism. He is a faculty member at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Early Life and Education

Peter Tontonoz was born in New York City. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in Biochemistry. He then pursued his medical degree (M.D.) and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology at the Harvard Medical School.

Research and Career

Tontonoz's research primarily focuses on the regulation of lipid metabolism and its implications for cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of the role of nuclear receptors in lipid metabolism.

Key Contributions

• **Nuclear Receptors**: Tontonoz has extensively studied the role of nuclear receptors, particularly the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and liver X receptors (LXRs), in the regulation of lipid metabolism.
• **Lipid Metabolism**: His research has elucidated the mechanisms by which lipid metabolism is regulated at the molecular level, providing insights into the development of atherosclerosis and other metabolic diseases.
• **Gene Regulation**: Tontonoz has also explored how nuclear receptors regulate gene expression and how this regulation impacts cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis.

Awards and Honors

Peter Tontonoz has received numerous awards for his contributions to science, including:

• The American Heart Association Established Investigator Award
• The Endocrine Society Richard E. Weitzman Memorial Award
• Election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation

Personal Life

Tontonoz resides in Los Angeles, California, where he continues his research and teaching at UCLA. He is married and has two children.

Related Pages

• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Lipid metabolism
• Nuclear receptor
• Cardiovascular disease
• Metabolic disorder