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The Project Symphony team publishes another research paper of 2022 in peer-reviewed Membrane Biology journal

Sunghee Lee • September 2, 2022

The Project Symphony is very proud to publish another peer-reviewed research article! It is the joyful product of our hard work and time spent in the laboratory over Summer 2021. The journal article is titled "Resveratrol decreases membrane water permeability: a study of cholesterol-dependent interactions", in The Journal of Membrane Biology, a Springer Publication.


This paper is coauthored by seven undergraduates, Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan (’21 Chemistry), Juan Rosario (’21 Chemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Katherine Ivanchenko (’23 Chemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee.


Resveratrol (RSV) is a biologically active plant phenol and is found in many foods, including grapes and red wine. It has been suggested that RSV has a broad range of beneficial pharmacological activities for potential therapeutic applications, as an antioxidant and anticarcinogenic agent. This study examines interactions of RSV with model membranes having varying concentrations of cholesterol (Chol), mimicking normal and cancerous cells. The perturbation of the model membrane by RSV is sensed by changes in water permeability parameters, using Droplet Interface Bilayer (DIB) models, thermotropic properties from Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and structural properties from confocal Raman spectroscopy. The nature and extent of interactions greatly depend on the presence and absence of Chol as well as the concentration of RSV. Combined results from these investigations highlight a differential effect of RSV on Chol-free and Chol-enriched membranes. These results provide increased understanding and effective use of resveratrol in disease therapy including cancer. 


Congratulations to the project 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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