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Dr. Lee's team publishes another research paper of 2022 in peer-reviewed Neurochemistry journal

Sunghee Lee • March 20, 2022

Every day this past summer was filled with unparalleled excitement and energy in the basement of Cornelia Hall , where the research laboratory of Dr. Sunghee Lee is located. After a one year pause from in-person laboratory investigation in 2020, all members of Project Symphony (the name of Lee's research group) appreciated their opportunity to be immersed once again in hands-on research together, while maintaining safety protocols with facial masks.


Now we are enjoying fruits of these incredible efforts, with another peer-reviewed research article just published. The article is titled "Differential Interaction of Cannabidiol with Biomembranes Dependent on Cholesterol Concentration", in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, a publication of American Chemical Society.


This paper is coauthored by six undergraduates, Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Michael Krmic ('22 Biochemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), Riley Porteus ('24 ACS Chemistry), under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee.


This project deals with the Cannabidiol (CBD) molecule, which has gained increasing attention among the public for its potential health benefits, especially related to certain crippling neurological disorders. Our study investigates the impact that CBD molecules have when interacting with membranes containing different amounts of cholesterol. Using a model of a cell membrane, we demonstrate that there is a sensitivity to the interaction of CBD molecules with cell membranes, depending on the quantity of cholesterol present. The significance of this finding is related to the potential use of CBD in pharmaceutical treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, the kind that are linked to varying levels of cholesterol in the central nervous system.


Congratulations to the project team!

Let's keep the positive energy and momentum going for the summer 2022. 

Exciting News: Our Latest Research Published in Langmuir!

By Sunghee Lee • January 29, 2025
We are thrilled to announce the publication of our collaborative research in Langmuir, the journal of the American Chemical Society. Our paper, titled “Electrophysiological Characterization of Monoolein-Fatty Acid Bilayers,” represents a significant milestone in our ongoing investigation of electrical property of model cell membranes. As an open-access article, our research is now freely available to the scientific community and the public. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03814 This publication is the culmination of a fruitful collaboration with the research team at University of Tokyo, Japan. The lead author, Caroline Scott (Class of 2025), performed the experiments along with Riley Porteus (Class of 2024, now in a PhD program at Virginia Tech), building on her invaluable experience gained during a summer research trip in Japan last year, made possible by National Science Foundation. Caroline's dedication and perseverance have finally come to fruition. We look forward to continuing our work and sharing more news in the future!

Looking Back at an Awesome Fall 2024: A Semester Full of Success and Friendship

By Sunghee Lee • December 14, 2024
Can you believe how fast this semester went? The Fall 2024 semester came and went in the blink of an eye, yet we accomplished so much while balancing challenging coursework and engaging research activities. We're really proud of how we keep pushing ourselves to maintain high standards while supporting each other and building a great sense of teamwork. After all, that’s what the Project Symphony is all about. To close out this amazing semester, we all got together on the last day of classes to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished, both as individuals and as a group. Our gathering was a fun mix of camaraderie and creativity, featuring a coloring session and the gingerbread house competition. As we reflect on this semester, it’s clear that beyond the data and research papers, we are more than just a group; we are a community. A family bound by intellectual curiosity, mutual respect, and a shared passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Here’s to another semester filled with breakthroughs, support, and the joy of discovery!

Project Symphony Team Shines at ACS National Meeting in Denver

By Sunghee Lee • August 24, 2024
Nine undergraduate researchers from our Chemistry & Biochemistry Department recently took Denver by storm, presenting their scientific findings at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, August 18-22, 2024. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee, these bright minds showcased seven posters in the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of the ACS. Our students stood shoulder-to-shoulder with PhDs and PostDocs from around the globe, demonstrating the high caliber of undergraduate research at our institution. Their presentations were the culmination of tireless efforts in the lab, spanning intense summer sessions and busy academic semesters. In addition to their academic achievements, the Project Symphony team seized the opportunity to explore Denver's cultural offerings, including a breathtaking sunrise at Red Rocks Park and enriching museum visits. These shared experiences outside the conference halls further strengthened their bonds as a cohesive research unit. This successful venture to the ACS National Meeting exemplifies the Project Symphony ethos: harmonious collaboration towards shared scientific goals, coupled with the joy of collective achievement and exploration. We're immensely proud of our undergraduate researchers for representing our department on the international stage and look forward to their future contributions to the field of chemistry.
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