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. 

Exploring Graphene Oxide–Cholesterol Interactions Across Model Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • February 23, 2026
We’re pleased to announce our new collaborative publication, “Study of the Interaction Between Graphene Oxide and Cholesterol Using Different Artificial Membrane Models,” conducted in partnership with colleagues in Italy. This work investigates how graphene oxide—an emerging nanomaterial with biomedical promise—interacts with cholesterol within lipid membranes. By employing various artificial membrane systems, we examined how membrane composition and organization influence these interactions, revealing key insights into the physicochemical mechanisms at play. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of how nanomaterials engage with biological membranes, providing valuable guidance for the safe and effective design of graphene-based biomedical applications. Congratulations to all team members and our Italian collaborators on this exciting achievement! The full article is available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021979726002821 .

New Insights into Serotonin’s Relationship with Cell Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • February 23, 2026
In this study, we explored how the membrane environment shapes the behavior of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and neural signaling. By systematically varying lipid composition in model membranes, we uncovered how differences in lipid charge, fluidity, and packing influence serotonin’s nonspecific interactions with bilayers. Our findings shed new light on the physical chemistry of neurotransmitter–membrane interactions, with potential implications for understanding serotonin’s diverse physiological functions and its role in receptor signaling. Congratulations to all co-authors for their outstanding work and collaboration! The article can be accessed here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00767

Recent Publication: How Tiny Molecules Shape the Flexibility of Cell Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • November 15, 2025
Our research team has uncovered new details about how small oil-like molecules influence the thickness and flexibility of cell membranes. These membranes, built from layers of lipids, contain tiny pockets of free space that help control how soft, dense, or permeable the membrane is. Our research team found that some smaller molecules can fit into these layers, making the membrane thicker, while larger or crystallizing ones get pushed out, leading to thinning. These changes help explain how different molecules inside a membrane affect its overall structure and function. This study not only expands our understanding of how biological membranes work but also points to new possibilities for creating custom-designed synthetic membranes for research and technology. Read more details here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c06296 Congratulations to the Project Symphpony team for their exciting findings and continued dedication to advancing membrane science!
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