Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal profile
Dr. Pownall’s doctoral training was in physical chemistry with postdoctoral fellowships in molecular spectroscopy at the University of Houston, and biochemistry at Baylor College of Medicine with an emphasis on lipid metabolism. Over time he moved his studies from molecules to in vivo models, studying biophysics, peptide design, lipid synthesis and enzymology, and cell and molecular biology. His work is centered on high density lipoprotein therapeutics, and energy metabolism as it relates to obesity-linked diabetes and human lipid metabolism. A major goal of his research is to determine how alcohol ingestion contributes to enhanced postprandial lipemia, attendant pancreatitis, or alcohol-induced reduction of cardiovascular disease, an effect mediated by increased HDL-cholesterol.
His research is multidisciplinary, with extensive collaboration with structural biologists, endocrinologists, and x-ray crystallographers. Structural biologists provide expertise in lipid and lipoprotein structure by electron cryo microscopy. Endocrinologists have synergistic interests in the lipid disorders found in HIV-positive patients on highly active anti retroviral therapies. X-ray crystallographers help discern the total structure of Streptococcal serum opacity factor (SOF) for determination of structure function relationships.
Dr. Pownall maintains an active academic program. He is a member of three graduate programs at Baylor College of Medicine (Structural Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Cardiovascular Sciences) in which he teaches classes and serves on graduate advisory and qualifying exams committees. He is also active in community education, giving lectures on molecular ethics to local groups including several churches, home owner associations and garden clubs.
Research interests
Dr. Pownall’s studies encompass multiple aspects of lipid metabolism, particularly HDL structure, properties and function in the context of obesity-linked diabetes and atherogenesis. His research goals are as follows:
-To determine if Streptococcal serum opacity factor (SOF) can enhance cholesterol disposal and reverse atherosclerosis
-To obtain a high resolution X-ray structure of SOF for the identification of active sites and design of SOF analogs
-To compare the energy storage potential of central and femoral gluteal depots, as they relate to obesity-linked diabetes
-To assess the effects of acetate, as an alcohol metabolite and in the food supply, on HDL levels and the onset of pancreatitis
Education/Academic qualification
Biochemistry, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine
Chemistry, PhD, Northeastern University
Photochemistry & Spectroscopy, Postdoctoral Fellowship, The University of Houston
Chemistry, MS, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Research Area Keywords
- Heart & Vascular
Free-text keywords
- Physical chemistry
- Obesity-linked diabetes
- Cholesterol transport
- Atherogenesis
- Fluorescence
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Network
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Atheroprotection via Reduced Plasma High Density Lipoprotein-Free Cholesterol Bioavailability
Pownall, H. J., Rosales, C. & Gillard, B. K.
12/1/19 → 11/30/23
Project: Federal Funding Agencies
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The role of steroid receptor coactivator-2 in coordinating stress-activated angiogenesis in the myocardium
Pownall, H. J., Blanco, E. & Cooke, J. P.
7/1/19 → 6/30/22
Project: Non Profit
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Transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to endothelial cells contributes to angiogenesis - Role of TLR3 signaling
7/1/17 → 9/30/20
Project: Non Profit
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High Density Lipoprotein Biogenesis and Speciation
Pownall, H. J., Rosales, C. & Gillard, B. K.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
8/1/16 → 5/31/21
Project: Federal Funding Agencies
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AIBP Mediates a Novel Interplay between Cholesterol Metabolism and Lymphangiogenesis
Fang, L., Cooke, J. P. & Pownall, H. J.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
4/1/16 → 1/31/22
Project: Federal Funding Agencies
Research output
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Free Cholesterol Bioavailability and Atherosclerosis
Abe, R. J., Abe, J. I., Nguyen, M. T. H., Olmsted-Davis, E. A., Mamun, A., Banerjee, P., Cooke, J. P., Fang, L., Pownall, H. & Le, N. T., May 2022, In: Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 24, 5, p. 323-336 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
High-density lipoproteins, reverse cholesterol transport and atherogenesis
Pownall, H. J., Rosales, C., Gillard, B. K. & Gotto, A. M., Oct 2021, In: Nature Reviews Cardiology. 18, 10, p. 712-723 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
6 Scopus citations -
High Free Cholesterol Bioavailability Drives the Tissue Pathologies in Scarb1-/-Mice
Liu, J., Gillard, B. K., Yelamanchili, D., Gotto, A. M., Rosales, C. & Pownall, H. J., 2021, (Accepted/In press) In: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. p. E453-E467Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus citations -
Physico-chemical and physiological determinants of lipo-nanoparticle stability
Pownall, H. J., Liu, J., Gillard, B. K., Yelamanchili, D. & Rosales, C., Apr 2021, In: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine. 33, 102361.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus citations -
Within-Trial Cost-Effectiveness of a Structured Lifestyle Intervention in Adults With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) Study
Look AHEAD Research Group, Jan 1 2021, In: Diabetes care. 44, 1, p. 67-74 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Scopus citations