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!

Bacterial Membranes Meet PFAS: New Findings from the Project Symphony Lab

By Sunghee Lee • September 2, 2025
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our Project Symphony, undergrad-fueled research team, just published another article digging into how those stubborn “forever chemicals”, called perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, can mess with model bacterial membranes, making them leakier and less organized than before. It is alarming to discover that these chemicals actively change the physical properties of membranes, and different types of lipids respond in their own way to the disruption, meaning some bacteria could be more affected than others. What makes this work even more special is that our undergraduate team handled every step, and it’s now out there as open access for everyone to read—proof that curiosity and teamwork can lead to great science. The article is appeared in ACS Omega (on August 26, 2025), a publication of American Chemical Society (ACS). Please explore the article here: " Membrane-Modifying Effects of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Model Bacterial Membranes " https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c04177 Congratulations to Micaela, Amani, Jasmin, Jessica, Lizzy, Joey, and Jacqui for their enthusiasm and hard work leading to this contribution! Project Symphony’s journey continues—stay tuned for what’s next.

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement by Our Undergraduate Research Team!

By Sunghee Lee • August 21, 2025
We are incredibly proud to announce that our talented Project Symphony undergraduate research team has just published a significant scientific article in the prestigious Journal of Physical Chemistry B, a leading journal published by the American Chemical Society in physical chemistry research. The newly published study, titled "Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances," explores the complex interactions of widely used environmental chemicals (PFAS) with biological model membranes. This research addresses important health and environmental questions, employing various techniques to reveal how molecular structures of PFAS influence membrane properties and permeability. Please read: Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances, J. Phys. Chem. B 2025, 129, 31, 7951–7963 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c02472 What makes this achievement truly exceptional is that the work was led and conducted by undergraduate researchers, demonstrating their brilliance and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Their contribution not only adds valuable insights into the field of environmental and physical chemistry but also sets an inspiring example of how undergraduate students can make impactful contributions to cutting-edge science. Congratulations to the entire team for this outstanding accomplishment! This publication is a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and the rigorous training they have received.

Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors: A Joyful End-of-Semester Gathering

By Sunghee Lee • May 6, 2025
As the semester comes to a close, Project Symphony members gathered to celebrate a very special milestone - the graduation of seven dedicated seniors who have been an integral part of our team for many years. Their passion, enthusiasm, and hard work have not only driven their individual growth but have also contributed to the collective success of our group. Together, we’ve achieved so much more than any one of us could alone - a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration and shared purpose...the true meaning of the "Project Symphony"! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these remarkable students for the energy and commitment they brought to the lab every day. Your contributions have truly made a difference, and we are proud to have been part of your journey. As you embark on your next chapter, we wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. Remember, once you are a member of the Project Symphony, you are forever part of our family. We look forward to seeing the incredible things you will accomplish ahead! Congratulations and thank you for everything!
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