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Published-Structural determination of model phospholipid membranes by Raman spectroscopy

Sunghee Lee • January 20, 2022

The research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee at Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, has just published a peer-reviewed education article, titled “Structural Determination of Model Phospholipid Membranes by Raman Spectroscopy: Laboratory Experiment”, appearing in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, a publication of Wiley (https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21603)

 

This article provides an experimental module designed to understand cell membranes through integrated concepts of chemical structure, molecular interactions, and membrane structural properties, using Raman spectroscopy of model cell membranes.

 

The main analytical tool used to investigate these systems is confocal Raman microspectrometer, an instrument acquired via a National Science Foundation (NSF)-Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant award (NSF-MRI-1427705). Since its introduction, the confocal Raman microspectrometer has been a central workforce for the enhancement of research and education at Iona College.

 

Many research papers in peer-reviewed journals have been published in recent years using confocal Raman spectrometer from the research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee, including "Ibuprofen and the Phosphatidylcholine Bilayer: Membrane Water Permeability in the Presence and Absence of Cholesterol" and "Molecular Organization in Mixed SOPC and SDPC Model Membranes: Water Permeability Studies of Polyunsaturated Lipid Bilayer".

 

However, the publication of this article has a special meaning, because, as an educational article, its techniques can be readily implemented to enhance students learning in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and related sciences such as Biophysics and Cell Biology, and has great potential for wide dissemination to the education community.

 

This project is a result of diligent work over the course of many years, and is coauthored by five undergraduates, Joseph Giancaspro (’20 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan ('21 Biochemistry), Juan Rosario ('21 Biochemistry), Elizabeth Miller (’19 Biochemistry), Samuel Braziel (’18 Chemistry), under the guidance of Dr. Sunghee Lee. Samuel Braziel is the founding member of the Raman project, and who spent the most of his undergraduate research time to establish the protocols and initial parameterization, is now full-time employed in industry as an analytical scientist. Both Elizabeth Miller and Joseph Giancaspro, who dedicated themselves to developing optimum conditions of the method, are in Medical School, and Patrick Scollan (MS program in science education) and Juan Rosario (heading to Medical School) improved the application to the cell membrane models. This is truly an amazing harmonious team effort. Congratulations to the team!

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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