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
Network
Recent external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Projects
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
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
Transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to endothelial cells contributes to angiogenesis - Role of TLR3 signaling
Meng, S., Chen, K., Cooke, J. P. & Pownall, H. J.
7/1/17 → 9/30/20
Project: Non Profit
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
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 → 1/31/21
Project: Federal Funding Agencies
Research Output
Commentary on SSO and other putative inhibitors of FA transport across membranes by CD36 disrupt intracellular metabolism, but do not affect fatty acid translocation
Pownall, H. J., May 1 2020, In : Journal of lipid research. 61, 5, p. 595-597 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
1
Scopus
citations
Dietary Alcohol and Fat Differentially Affect Plasma Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Activity and Triglycerides in Normo- and Hypertriglyceridemic Subjects
Gaubatz, J. W., Gillard, B. K., Rosales, C. & Pownall, H. J., Jul 1 2020, In : Lipids. 55, 4, p. 299-307 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
1
Scopus
citations
History of Cardiovascular Disease, Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Look AHEAD Trial
Look AHEAD Research Group, Feb 1 2020, In : Obesity. 28, 2, p. 247-258 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice
Lian, Z., Perrard, X. Y. D., Peng, X., Raya, J. L., Hernandez, A. A., Johnson, C. G., Lagor, W. R., Pownall, H. J., Hoogeveen, R. C., Simon, S. I., Sacks, F. M., Ballantyne, C. M. & Wu, H., Jan 1 2020, In : Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 40, 1, p. 72-85 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
1
Scopus
citations
The alcohol–high-density lipoprotein athero-protective axis
Rosales, C., Gillard, B. K., Gotto, A. & Pownall, H. J., Jul 1 2020, In : Biomolecules. 10, 7, p. 1-16 16 p., 987.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article